TERRI HEMMERT WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF ’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 Nov. 3, 2010 vol 26, no. 5 page 13 TIMES www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com GOP seizes House; Dems keep U.S. Senate

MORALES RUNS BY ANDREW DAVIS can help it. Fact is, our community has always and civil unions for same-sex couples, Brady is had to fight—and fight hard—for equality.” not only seen as anti-gay but anti-woman in FOR CLERK Two days after Halloween, the general elections In , the gubernatorial and U.S. senato- some circles as well, since he opposes abortions, page 8 held a lot of tricks for the Democratic Party and rial races were pretty tight, as polls predicted. even in cases of rape or incest. many treats for the Republican Party. However, there was a victor declared in the Sen- Incumbent Democrats easily won two other Several news outlets had determined around 9 ate race: Republican Mark Kirk. posts. Lisa Madigan easily retained her attorney p.m. CT on Nov. 2 that the Republican Party had general seat, with had an even easier gained control of the U.S. House of Representa- Statewide office time in his race. tives. The GOP needed 39 seats, and the change At 12 a.m. CT, the gubernatorial race was too The race between Democrat Robin Kelly and means that Nancy Pelosi has to step down as close to call. Incumbent Democrat Republican Dan Rutherford for treasurer was tied speaker of the House (although the GOP was not started the evening with a sizeable Chicago- at one point, but Rutherford pulled out a win. projected to win enough seats to take over the based lead that gradually shrank throughout the Likewise Republican , who has Senate). night as the challenger, Republican state Sen. Bill quite an LGBT following, defeated Democrat Da- Gay-rights organizations immediately weighed Brady, closed ranks thanks to votes from down- vid Miller. in on the shift in the political landscape. National state. However, Quinn then expanded his lead In the Illinois General Assembly, state Sen. Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea slightly—but not enough to declare an out-and- had no problem with Republican Carey said in a statement, “We’ll cut to the chase: out victor. challenger Adam Robinson while state Rep. Sara ARMISTEAD MAUPIN The shift in the balance of power will very likely This race was seen as probably one of the most Feigenholtz easily bested Republican Dave Len- slow advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and polarizing, especially regarding social issues, as kowski. page 17 transgender rights legislation in Congress. Does the main candidates are on opposite ends of the Turn to page 4 this mean a blockade on LGBT rights? Not if we spectrum. While Quinn supports abortion rights

LGBT among Reeling 2010 possible terrorist targets BY ANDREW DAVIS

The local LGBT synagogue Congregation Or Chadash was one of two Jewish places of worship that may have been the targets of a terrorist plot that was foiled Oct. 28. Authorities intercepted two packages that contained explosives in London and GLENN BURKE FILM Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The packages had Chicago addresses on them. (How- page 22 ever, according to YNetNews.com, there may have been as many as four packages targeting local .) According to the Chicago Tribune, a source said that the packages were headed for Jewish houses of worship in the Lakeview and Rogers Park neighborhoods. Congregation Or Chadash used the facilities at Lakeview’s Second Unitarian Church up until a few years ago; since then, Or Chadash has shared a space with Edgewater’s Emanuel Congregation. Michael Zedek of Emanuel Congregation said that an official told him, “‘The good news is that your congregation was not one (of the targets); the bad news is that Or Chadash was.’” Congregant Stephen Weiser, a former co-president who has been part of Or Cha- dash for 31 years, told that he found out about the plot upon at- I Love You Phillip Morris (above) is one of the dozens of films tending a special synagogue dinner and service Oct. 29. “Andrew [Deppe, Weiser’s screening at Reeling 2010. See WCT’s first-week round-up on husband] and I were attending a congregational dinner that was held before the FREDDY ALLEN page 17. Turn to page 8 page 16

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Enter the ID number in the FAST FIND box on our homepage bairdwarner.com to find complete details on these Chicagoland homes for sale. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 3 this week in WINDY CITY TIMES ANSWER THE CALL NEWS ‘ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Election results; DADT in effect 4 Scottish Play Scott 11 Obama’s attitude about marriage 5 Theater reviews 12 Ark. school official steps down 5 Terri Hemmert to receive honor 13 Catholics for Equality 6 Reeling first-week round-up 14 Gay suburban pols make mark 7 Knight: For Colored Girls 15 Gay ISU group marks 39th year 7 Real estate: Allen, Rookery, Aqua 16 Morales eyes clerk’s post 8 Armistead Maupin 17 Or Chadash: Terrorist target? 8 Billy Masters 21 Gay in the Life: Greg Baird 9 Views: King, Rudolph 10 IT DOES GET BETTER Essays 19 Photos on cover (left, from top): Terri Hemmert photo by Micki Leventhal; Chris Pett photo from Pett; Marilyn Morales pic courtesy OUTLINES of Morales; Freddy Allen photo courtesy of Real estate; classifieds 18 Allen Calendar Q 20 Sports: Wrestling, Glenn Burke 22

LEVI KREIS WINDY CITY TIMES www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com A nity turns 15 DOWNLOAD THIS! Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com The Chicago Police Department will accept Windy City Times’ Election Guide to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots. Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! applications for the position of Police Officer from BEST NEW NOV. 7 - JAN. 2 MUSICAL of 2010 online exclusives at October 28, 2010 through November 26, 2010. Your future begins NOW! www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

a BOO-TIFUL TIME www.ChicagoPolice.org View photos from this year’s Northalsted Halloween Parade (left).

Photo by Jerry Nunn City of Chicago Chicago Police Department Richard M. Daley Jody P. Weis Mayor Superintendent

Obama and the Gays A POLITICAL MARRIAGE

Read an See photos from The new book by Tracy Baim soup dreams interview with Amuse Bouche continues its soup series Chicago’s Rally to TV’s ‘Millionaire with chowder. Restore Sanity. Matchmaker,’ Patti Stanger. Photo by Sigmund Burdin Photo from Bravo Available on Amazon.com and Amazon Kindle MERRY INDIANA tinyurl.com/ObamaGayBook and http://tinyurl.com/ObamaGayKindle Find out about Indiana University’s first LGBT Day as the school played music to our ears Northwestern’s football team. Also available at Women & Children First Bookstore (5233 N. Clark, Chicago) Unabridged Books FLAUNTING IT (3251 N. Broadway, Chicago) 570 Read a review of the book Flaunt It, penned by local social-justice activists pages Erica Meiners and Therese Quinn.

A comprehensive musical round-up 140 plus includes Pop Making Sense, Bent Nights’ review of Nick Lowe (above) and photos DAILY BREAKING NEWS Shakira’s Chicago concert. Photo by Vern Hester and images

Turn to Nightspots Discharged soldier Lee for the most tOctober 27, 2010 nightspots comprehensive Reinhart listing of Show #389 Halloween bar events in town! Purple People FiFi Depraved, seen here doing “Purple People Eater” at Sidetrack’s Night of 100 Drag Queens, was just one of many donning purple for tolerance on Wed., October 20. page 16

Big pimpin’ The lowdown with Jonny on Downtown McGovern. Bar and page 11 Lounge. page 12 www.ObamaAndTheGays.com Find Nightspots on www.WindyCityQueercast.com 4 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS from cover Stroger, whose administration has been under constant scrutiny. ONLINE AT In the intriguing race for Cook County asses- WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM National office sor, Democrat Joseph Berrios was declared the In the race to take President Barack Obama’s winner, having defeated Independent candidate NATIONAL NEWS former U.S. Senate seat, Democrat Alexi Gian- Forrest Claypool 47 percent to 32 percent with noulias and Republican Mark Kirk were in a see- 83 percent of precincts reporting. saw battle Nov. 2. Eventually, with downstate Tom Dart, who at one point was considered a votes coming in, Kirk overtook Giannoulias. strong candidate for the Chicago mayoral race, This contest showcased the candidates’ retained his Cook County sheriff’s position hand- strengths; however, it also revealed a few flaws. ily. —School district to Kirk had to apologize for embellishing parts of pay Constance The Rev. Eddie Long. his military record, while Giannoulias was forced LGBT candidates McMillen (left) $81K to answer questions regarding his former post LGBT candidates had mixed results in the Nov. at Broadway Bank and his Bright Start college- 2 elections. —Gay educator, 26, One megachurch investment program. State Reps. Greg Harris and Deb Mell had un- commits Michael Mitchell, National Stonewall Demo- contested races, ensuring that they would keep pastor comes out; crats PAC Executive Director, said, “We are dis- their seats. —Laura Bush another fights charges appointed with the outcome of this race and Kent DeLay came up short in his state House Jim Swilley—the pastor of Church in the Now, joins anti- know that Alexi would have brought incredible race (99th District), falling to incumbent Ray- the Georgia institution he found a quarter-cen- bullying movement vision, drive and a strong commitment to serve mond Poe, while openly gay Green Party candi- tury ago—has officially come out of the closet, the people of Illinois to his job.” date Bob Mueller lost to Republican Patti Bel- according to ABC News. In other races, incumbent Democrats in Il- lock. In a video, Swilley, 52, said, “I know a lot of linois were losing seats, reflecting a national John Dalton lost in his race for the 16th Cir- straight people think orientation is a choice. I trend. cuit Court, Kane, “A” vacancy. E-mailing Windy Also, in Nevada, Tea Party candidate Sharron want to tell you that it is not.” He said that he In the 10th Congressional District, Republican City Times, Dalton—encapsulating how many in Angle lost to Democratic incumbent Harry Reid made the decision to announce his sexual ori- Robert Dold defeated Democrat Dan Seals, while his party felt across the country Nov. 2—wrote, in a race that sometimes became vicious. entation to save lives. Swilley told ABC News’ Republican Randy Hultgren beat Democratic in- “We came up short. Tough year for Dems in Kane However, there were at least two bright spots Atlanta affiliate WSB-TV, “To think about saving cumbent Bill Foster in the 14th District. In the County.” in the U.S. Senate for the Tea Party: Rand Paul a teenager, yeah, I’ll risk my reputation for that. 11th Congressional District, Republican Adam On the national front, out gay U.S. Rep. Bar- and Marco Rubio. In Kentucky, Paul defeated As a father, thinking about your 16-, 17-year-old Kinzinger defeated incumbent Democrat Debbie ney Frank, D-Mass., endured a tough campaign Democrat Jack Conway, while Rubio beat Inde- killing themselves.” Halvorson. by his opponent to prevail and head back to pendent candidate (and current Florida Gov.) Swilley, who has four children, said that he With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Repub- Washington, D.C., for his 16th term. Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek. was up front with his wife, Debye, from the start lican Joe Walsh was edging incumbent Democrat Also, Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa.—who led the about his sexuality, according to Boston. Melissa Bean 49 percent to 48 percent. won his congressional race to become only the successful effort in the House of Representa- After they divorced, Debye reportedly encour- Bucking the trend, Democratic incumbent seventh openly gay person to serve in Congress, tives to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—lost his aged him to tell the truth. Mike Quigley easily beat Republican Adam Ra- and only the third to be elected for the first time race to Republican Mike Fitzpatrick, the same Anti-gay Christian websites have attacked towitz and Green Party candidate Matt Reichel as an out candidate. man Murphy narrowly defeated in 2006. National Swilley, calling him names such as “unclean” in the 5th Congressional District. In addition, Stonewall Democrats issued a press release stat- and “an instrument of the Devil.” However, ABC Democratic incumbent routed Other races ing, “To say that we are heartbroken at the loss News reported that Swilley’s Facebook page has Republican Joel Pollak. In Delaware, Tea Party candidate Christine of one of our champions, Rep. Patrick Murphy, reached its 5,000-friend limit and that his wall O’Donnell—who was in the news for everything in his fight for reelection is an understatement. is filled with praise. Cook County from admitting that she experimented with With DADT repeal, his commitment to our com- Meanwhile, another Georgia megachurch pas- Toni Preckwinkle made history Nov. 2 by be- witchcraft to speaking out against masturba- munity never wavered.” tor, the Rev. Eddie Long, is fighting charges that coming the first-ever female Cook County board tion—lost to Democrat Chris Coons by a margin National Stonewall Democrats also comment- he sexually abused several young men. According president. She soundly defeated her challeng- of 56 percent to 40 percent. The race was for the ed on Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., who defeated Re- to the Georgia Voice, Long has filed papers de- ers, Republican Roger Keats and the Green Par- U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by U.S. Vice publican Scott Sipprelle. The organization called nying accusations he sexually forced the young ty’s Tom Tresser. Preckwinkle will succeed Todd President Joe Biden. Holt “a strong ally for equality for many years.” men, who were members of the pastor’s gigantic Closer to Illinois, incumbent Russ Feingold, D- New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Wis., lost his U.S. Senate race to Republican Ron Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris Johnson. According to Talking Points Memo, it and Spencer LeGrande filed lawsuits. Long ad- marks the first time in 24 years that Republicans mitted that he took the men on trips but denied have won a Senate race in this state. that any sexual contact occurred, adding that he In New York, Democrat Andrew Cuomo—who sees himself as a mentor. said at an Empire State Pride Agenda dinner that Long has espoused strong anti-gay views. he wants to make “equality a reality—defeated LGBT-rights leaders said that if the charges are Republican Carl Paladino for governor. Paladino true, it would be the height of hypocrisy. had made a series of missteps with the LGBT On Sept. 26, Long told some 8,000 con- community. gregants, “There have been allegations and at- Most races out west were not called as of press tacks made on me. I have never in my life por- deadline because voting ended at a later time. trayed myself as a perfect man, but I am not the Please visit http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup. man that is being portrayed on the television. com for electoral updates. That is not me.”

Toni Preckwinkle; Pat Quinn. Preckwinkle photo by Andrew Davis duck session to end this confusion and bring DADT allowed to about the finality that is needed. We continue stay in place to warn service members that it is unsafe to The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ex- come out as long as this law remains on the tended a freeze on U.S. District Court Judge books.” Chicago’s Dedicated and Virginia Phillips’ injunction against “Don’t Ask, staff attorney Peter Renn Comprehensive LGBT Program Don’t Tell” (DADT)—meaning that the policy said in a press release, “Today’s ruling means ALEO that prevents openly gay and lesbian people additional months or even years of needless VAT CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL Valeo at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital from serving in the military will be in effect suffering by lesbian, gay and bisexual service provides comprehensive psychiatric members, who must continue to live in fear and addiction-related treatment for indefinitely. gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender According to the Washington Post, the of discovery until the appeals process is com- and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. three-judge panel sided with the U.S. govern- plete—or until Congress or the President steps The program offers a safe, affirming up to the plate.” therapeutic environment for members ment, which requested for a stay while it chal- of the LGBTQ community. The Valeo lenges Phillips’ ruling. The government argued Human Rights Campaign President Joe Sol- staff is comprised of well-trained, that the DADT injunction would “seriously monese said, “Every day that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t experienced gay and gay-sensitive disrupt ongoing and determined efforts by the Tell’ is in force, Americans are losing out on the behavioral health professionals from best and brightest service members defending a wide variety of disciplines. Administration to devise an orderly change of policy.” our country. For the good of our national secu- Pro-LGBT organizations expressed their dis- rity, the endless legal wrangling and political pleasure with the latest ruling. Servicemem- posturing has to stop.” 4840 N. MARINE DRIVE bers Legal Defense Network Executive Aubrey The court gave the government until Jan. 24, CHICAGO, IL 60640 Sarvis said, “Today’s decision is a major disap- 2011, to submit its brief and gave the Log Cab- 1-800-888-0560 pointment, and it underscores the urgent need in Republicans, the group that had originally www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com for the Senate to act this month in the lame brought the case, until Feb. 22 to respond. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 5 In an Oct. 29 video with other LGBT youth know what to feel like anymore, and there’s peo- Obama’s made for GetEQUAL, McMillen says to Obama: ple that are taking their life. So, I think that it’s “You promised so many things whenever you time for you to take a stand.” attitude started running and you’re not coming through Watch the full video at tinyurl.com/tttaso. about marriage with these things, and people just, they don’t —Assistance: Bill Kelley evolving Ark. school board swift. Human Rights Campaign President Joe by Rex Wockner Solmonese said, “Clint McCance has put a face member quits job on the hate that devastates our young people. Clint McCance—the controversial Midland President Barack Obama’s attitude toward same- McCance shouldn’t be allowed near children, let School District (Ark.) school board member sex marriage is evolving, he said in an Oct. 27 alone managing their education. We call for his who said on his Facebook page that all gays meeting with five progressive bloggers, includ- immediate resignation from the school board.” should commit suicide—said that he would ing openly gay Joe Sudbay from AMERICAblog. Moreover, a Facebook page entitled “Fire Clint quit his position while on CNN correspondent “Joe, I do not intend to make big news sitting McCance” had more than 70,000 people liking Anderson Cooper’s show AC360, according to here with the five of you, as wonderful as you it as of Nov. 1. President Barack Obama. Advocate.com. guys are,” Obama said, according to the official While on the CNN show, McCance told Coo- Responding to a request to wear purple on transcript. “But I’ll say this. ... I have been to per, “I made some very ignorant comments— is justified.” Oct. 20 (Spirit Day) to support LGBT youth, Mc- this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex mar- did not realize just how ignorant they were. “I don’t begrudge the LGBT community push- Cance posted, “Seriously they want me to wear riage primarily because of my understandings ... I would never support suicide of any kids. I ing, but the flip side of it is that this notion purple because five queers killed themselves. of the traditional definitions of marriage. But don’t support bullying of any kids,” according somehow that this administration has been a The only way im wearin it for them is if they I also think you’re right that attitudes evolve, to a video on CNN.com. While apologizing, he source of disappointment to the LGBT commu- all commit suicide. I cant believe the people including mine. And I think that it is an issue called his postings “over the top” and said he nity, as opposed to a stalwart ally of the LGBT of this world have gotten this stupid. We are that I wrestle with and think about because “went too far.” community, I think is wrong,” Obama said. honoring the fact that they sinned and killed I have a whole host of friends who are in gay According to CNN.com, McCance officially re- Meanwhile, teenage activist Constance Mc- thereselves [sic] because of their sin. REALLY partnerships. I have staff members who are in signed Nov. 1, submitting his letter of resigna- Millen, who made national news when she was PEOPLE.” committed, monogamous relationships, who are tion to the school board. banned from taking her girlfriend to the high- The response from the LGBTA community was raising children, who are wonderful parents, and —Andrew Davis school prom in Fulton, Miss., doesn’t see it that I care about them deeply. And so while I’m not way. prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something that I think a lot about. That’s probably the best you’ll do out of me today. ... The one thing I will say today is I think it’s pretty clear where the trendlines are going ... the arc of history.” Obama also said he has a strategy aimed at getting the Senate to authorize repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell after the November elections. The House of Representatives already has done so, but the Senate refused earlier this year. “I’m not going to tip my hand now, but there is a strategy,” Obama said. “I was very deliber- ate in working with the Pentagon so that I’ve got the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs being very clear about the need to end this policy. That is part of a strategy that I have been pursuing since I came into office. And my hope is that will culminate in getting this thing overturned before the end of the year. Now, as usual, I need 60 votes. So I think that, Joe, the folks that you need to be having a really good conversation with—and I had that conver- sation with them directly yesterday, but you may have more influence than I do—is making sure that all those Log Cabin Republicans who helped to finance this lawsuit (that led to DADT being struck down as unconstitutional) and who feel about this issue so passionately are working the handful of Republicans that we need to get this thing done.” Sudbay responded, “Yes, I don’t have that re- lationship with them.” “I don’t understand the logic of it,” Obama replied. “You’re financing a very successful, very effective legal strategy and yet the only real thing you need to do is make sure that we get two to five Republican votes in the Senate. And I said directly to the Log Cabin Republican who was here yesterday, I said: ‘That can’t be that hard. Get me those votes.’” The president also said he doesn’t think the disillusionment that LGBT people feel with him is “justified.” “Let me go to the larger issue, though, Joe, about disillusionment and disappointment,” he said. “I guess my attitude is that we have been as vocal, as supportive of the LGBT community as any president in history. I’ve appointed more openly gay people to more positions in this gov- ernment than any president in history. We have moved forward on a whole range of issues that were directly under my control, including, for example, hospital visitation. On Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I have been as systematic and methodical in trying to move that agenda forward as I could be given my legal constraints, given that Con- gress had explicitly passed a law designed to tie my hands on the issue. And so, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t think that the disillusionment 6 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES Twitter, MySpace, Gmail, and other popular so- said Father Palacios. “We are not going to han- leaders and LGBT equality boosters. cial networks and services,” explained Alioto. dle doctrine. We can’t change that. That is the In Maine, for example, the Religious Coalition “Our main goal from now until the end of the church’s thing. We don’t even have the illusion Against Discrimination has obtained a grant to year focuses on encouraging and providing sup- that we as Catholics can do that.” set up conversations among parishioners, meet- port for Catholic families, parishes, and commu- Accordingly, he added, “What we are doing ing in small groups after Mass during coffee nities to have honest and rational discussions is public action and public education on pub- hour. about LGBT equality.” lic issues. We are helping the Catholic movable “The idea is to bring gay and lesbian couples Catholics for Equality has received assistance middle rethink their positions. They are a fair- and straight couples together one-on-one,” with from several national LGBT organizations, in- minded people. They want to do the right thing the objective of reaching “people not opposed cluding Dignity, a group for LGBT Catholics, the from their American core values and the heritage to marriage and LGBT rights, but who are uncer- Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination, of Catholic social justice values.” tain what that would look like,” said Catholics and the Human Rights Campaign. A specific way to facilitate conversation, Cath- for Equality board member Anne Underwood. HRC spokesman Fred Sainz said that the organi- olics for Equality suggests, is for supporters to Disclosure: In January, Chuck Colbert attended Chris Pett. Photo courtesy of Pett zation lent Catholics for Equality meeting space host parish brunches or coffee hours in homes the first organizing meeting of Catholics for and “supported some of their start-up costs at and restaurants where “people-in-the-pew” Equality, as a journalist and invited guest. less than $10,000.” Catholics, what organizers call the “moveable Copyright 2010 Chuck Colbert. All rights re- Catholics for A former HRC staffer, Phil Attey is presently middle,” can hear from community and parish served. the unpaid acting executive director for Catho- lics for Equality. Last year in Maine, the Portland Catholic dio- Equality Undoubtedly, Catholic Church hierarchy has New pro-LGBT cese and many others nationwide spent hun- been major player in Chicago and throughout dreds of thousands of dollars in a successful launches; the state. In fact, Illinois’ Catholic population Catholic group ballot measure campaign to roll back same-sex is slightly more than 30 percent, with Chicago’s has Chicago ties marriage rights approved by the Legislature locals comment nearly 5 million among the faithful (nearly 39 by Chuck Colbert and signed into law by a Catholic governor. by Chuck Colbert percent) ranking the local archdiocese third Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput recently in the nation, according to church data from Yet another Catholic group has formed to advo- approved the expulsion of a lesbian couple’s The voice of church hierarchy from Maine to 2008. cate justice for LGBT faithful within the church daughter from a parochial school. California, and now in Minnesota, is shrill but The local LGBT Catholic landscape has several and marriage equality in civil society. In Washington, D.C., where same-sex mar- clear: Oppose all LGBT equality, especially gay existing groups, each serving different purposes. The new group, called Equally Blessed, is a riage is now legal, Archbishop Donald Wuerl marriage. The oldest and best know is Dignity. Current Chi- coalition formed by four long-standing Catho- withholds benefits from the spouses of newly And yet support for full LGBT equality among cago chapter President Chris Pett said he not lic organizations. They include Chicago-based hired straight employees so that the archdio- the Roman Catholic laity has risen dramatically. only welcomes Catholics for Equality, but also Call to Action, Dignity/USA, Fortunate Families cese can legally withhold those benefits from A recent Gallup Poll, for example, revealed a solid envisions the new group having a positive im- and New Ways Ministry. the spouses of gay employees. 62 percent thought gay and lesbian relationships pact in public discourse. “Equally Blessed proclaims what most U.S. “These unjust actions do not speak for us,” were “morally acceptable,” a view diametrically “We need to grab the mike and provide an Catholics already believe,” said Marianne Dud- said Nicole Sotelo, coordinator of Call To Ac- opposite to church doctrine. Four years earlier, alternative voice that is truly representative of dy-Burke, executive director of Dignity/USA, in tion’s JustChurch program, in a statement. “We support for those relationships stood at just 46 the faithful versus what the bishops tell us,” he a Sept. 30 press statement announcing the co- are called to follow the teachings of Jesus who percent. said during a recent telephone interview. With a alition. “The laws of our land and the policies welcomed everyone and challenged religious So what’s a pro-equality Catholic supposed to civil unions bill pending in the Legislature, Pett of our church should mandate fairness, justice leaders when they fell short of that ideal.” do? explained, “Catholics need you to reach out to and equality for all. Founded in Chicago, Call To Action (CTA) is One option is to become active in a new na- their legislators,” adding, “It’s powerful when a Dignity’s participation, said Duddy-Burke in a an independent, progressive national Catholic tional organization that seeks to mobilize, as constituent who is Catholic calls or writes their follow up telephone interview, marks a shift or reform and renewal movement working for jus- the poll found, “the more than 62 percent of lawmaker. A bishop has one vote, but legislators change in the organization’s vision, away from tice and equality in the Church and society. CTA Catholics who support freedoms for all people have a lot of constituents. And lot of Catholics only providing “sanctuary,” she explained, to- claims 25,000 national members, with 53 local regardless of sexual orientation or gender identi- think [enacting civil unions] is the right thing ward a “vision of what it means to talk about chapters make for many additional members. ty,” thereby funneling “that support into action to do.” a church in the world where LGBT people are Each of the four organizations brings specific for legislative, political and cultural change.” Leadership at , a statewide fully included and fully equal.” expertise to the coalition. For example, Fortu- Based in Washington, D.C., the new group is LGBT organization, could not be more enthusi- In the wake of a recent spate of gay teen sui- nate Families, based in Rochester, N.Y., minis- Catholics for Equality (http://www.catholics- astic about for the new organizing effort. “Re- cides, the message for children is paramount. ters primarily with Catholic parents, explained forequality.org), which formally launched Sept. ligious leaders and people of faith are among “Imagine,” Duddy-Burke said, “what it would Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata. “We are a nation- 14. The newly incorporated not-for-profit group the strongest sources of support for LGBT equal- be like for a kid coming out in a church to al network of Catholic parents who reach out in is a 501(c)(4), an IRS designation that allows ity issues,” said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard know that no matter where I am— I am made support and encourage each other to work for it to direct up to half of its activities to politi- Cherkasov. in the image and likeness of God and my sexu- welcome and justice in the Church for our LGBT cal causes including participation in state ballot “Within the Catholic Church itself, nuns have ality is a blessing.” daughters,” they said, adding, “We are in con- measures, lobbying and endorsing candidates in been doing incredible work supporting what is Equally Blessed is an outgrowth of a two- tact with some 600 parents plus another 1600 partisan elections. Donations to it are not tax- right in the face of opposition from the hier- year consultation with approximately two doz- or so pastoral ministers and other supporters deductible. archy. But in order for us to make progress, we en Catholic faith leaders, sponsored by the Ar- who may benefit from our ministry.” Catholics for Equality also established a 501(c) need to amplify those voices of reason and use cus Foundation, a leading philanthropic global Located in Mount Rainier, Md., New Ways (3) not-for-profit entity to which donations are them as models for people of faith everywhere. fonder of social justice for LGBT rights. Ministry is a gay-positive ministry of advocacy tax deductible. It will engage in public educa- That’s why I am so proud of the work that Catho- The idea is to “build a pro-LGBT Catholic and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and tion and advocacy and have limited participa- lics for Equality are doing. They have a long road movement in the United States,” said Tom reconciliation within the larger Christian and tion in ballot measure campaigns. Both entities ahead of them, but they have a strong team who Kam, Arcus’ deputy director of LGBT programs civil communities. New Ways Ministry brings are subject to state laws of incorporation and really understand the Church and its sensitivi- and director of the religion and values pro- the perspective of “middle managers,” or those well as the IRS rules. ties.” gram. The movement’s overarching vision, he who “impact pastoral practice directly,” said During a recent teleconference, new group or- Cherkasov has engaged Pett to chair Equality said over the telephone, is to affirm “moral Executive Director Francis DeBernardo, refer- ganizers acknowledged, it will not be easy. “We Illinois’ “Faith and Freedom Project. equality” for gay people. ring to theologians, priests, nuns and other don’t have the capacity to use the church halls” Meanwhile, Joseph Ferrallo, co-director of Opponents of LGBT equality, Kam explained, pastoral ministers within the Catholic Church. or parish bulletins to organize, said founding AGLO, the Chicago’s Archdiocesan Gay & Lesbian often operate under the assumption “there’s Equally Blessed has not yet asked Catholics board member Father Joseph Palacios, a sociolo- Outreach ministry, said his organization has no something flawed about our community, some- for Equality to join. In fact, the organization’s gist, adjunct professor of sociology at George- comment about the new Catholic group. thing dangerous,” specifically “our sexual mo- leaders were surprised by the announcement town University, and priest of the But Joe Murray, a spokesperson for the local rality” and the “morality of us as a people by of the coalition’s formation. And yet, said act- Archdiocese. Palacios, who is Latino, also iden- Rainbow Sash Movement (www.rainbowsash- our [very] nature.” The long-term goal of moral ing executive director Phil Attey, “Catholics for tifies as a celibate gay man. He was active in movement.com), voiced concerns. “Our board equality is demonstrating that gay people “are Equality is encouraged that our sister church marriage equality work in Washington, D.C., has made the determination not to join Catho- at our core no better nor worse than our het- reform and ministerial groups are working to last year through Catholics United for Marriage lics for Equality or endorse the organization” he erosexual counterparts.” advance LGBT issues in the public sector and Equality, which he organized. said. To affirm the moral equality of LGBT persons look forward to hearing more as they begin to Instead, Catholics for Equality is relying on “a “Our concern is at a very fundamental level, directly challenges Catholic Church doctrine, develop their campaign.” state-of-the-art website and a strategic use of we believe that fighting homophobia within the which teaches homosexual personhood and True enough, Catholics for Equality and Equal- social media”—including a soon-to-be-rolled- church, and challenging the church’s teaching sexual relations to be an “objective disorder” ly Blessed fit within the Arcus Foundation’s out smartphone app—to provide as board mem- that promotes anti gay sentiment, discrimina- and “intrinsic evil,” even going so far as to say strategic objective of achieving moral equality. ber Aniello Alioto said, “American Catholics with tion, and violence is both necessary, and ethical gay and lesbian couples who parent children “We have invested and will continue to invest role models, facts, and tips on how to have a if we are to support gay rights in the broader are doing “violence” to them. in this strategy” of empowering “Catholic faith family discussion, how to challenge misinfor- community. We cannot support gay rights in so- Meanwhile, leaders of Equally Blessed say leaders to speak from within the Catholic jus- mation in our parishes, and how to ensure as ciety, and not in the church.” that accelerated anti-gay action and rhetoric tice tradition,” Kam said. “The emergence of Catholics their voices are heard.” Catholics for Equality is not focused on church by the church hierarchy demonstrates a need faithful Catholic voices that strongly speak of Initially, Catholics for Equality plans to rely on ministry or pastoral support programs. Rather, for faithful pro-gay equality Catholic voices. the goodness and beauty of the LGBT commu- the power of social media. its aim is to facilitate netroots and grassroots For example, the Knights of Columbus are op- nity gives me great joy and hope.” “We’ve built our website so that every page a political activism in pro-equality state legisla- posing gay marriage in Minnesota, where it has Copyright 2010 Chuck Colbert. All rights supporter views, every time a user takes action, tive and ballot measure campaigns. become a 2010 gubernatorial campaign issue. reserved. he can share that with friends on Facebook, “We [also] are not a church reform group,” WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 7 ISU gay-rights group marking 39 years by SAMUEL WORLEY

Illinois State University’s (ISU’s) student gay- rights group—incorporated under the name “Homophile ISU,” once called the “Gay Peo- ple’s Alliance,” now simply called “Pride”—will mark its 39th anniversary Nov. 9. Windy City Times recently caught up with the founder of Homophile ISU, deg farrelly, who talked about the group’s beginnings. (farrelly prefers not to capitalize his name.) Incorporated in Normal, Ill., in 1971, Ho- mophile ISU was founded at a heady time: The Stonewall riots, considered to have sparked the deg farrelly. Photo courtesy of farrelly modern gay-rights movement, had occurred just two years earlier. Gay student groups were sparking across the country, including a hand- fessional drag performers in Peoria and Spring- ful at Chicago universities—a chapter of the field, one of whom, farrelly recalled, performed national organization Gay Liberation Front, for “some Diana Ross stuff.” instance, had recently formed at the University With its funding, the Gay People’s Alliance of Chicago. started an office on campus, which for a time In the fall of 1971, farrelly placed a bul- housed a gay library with titles like The Gay Joanne Trapani. Photo by Andrew Davis letin advertising the nascent organization in Mystique and Patience and Sarah, the latter a the school newspaper, the Vidette. The initial historical novel with lesbian themes. One year, meeting, he said, drew a crowd of a dozen or farrelly said, the group participated in the Park when a coffee shop, The Buzz Café, wanted more. Chicago Pride Parade. He said that the banner to host Cornelius Williams, a former Oak Park Gay and lesbian “I know that I was scared,” farrelly said. “I that the students carried—“Normal, Illinois resident who had written a book called Transi- truly was alone.” Despite his fears, farrelly said Gay People’s Alliance”—drew laughs from the tion: From Homosexual to Preacher, which talks that he encountered little resistance to the crowd. elected officials about praying the gay away. An outcry from the group, either from the school administration The Gay People’s Alliance also sponsored LGBT community and their allies led to the event or from his classmates. About a year after the activities like lectures, one of which, farrelly make mark in being cancelled. founding, the group changed its name to the recalls, was by gay activist Barbara Gittings; Tendam worked to pass an ordinance that “Gay People’s Alliance” and registered as an of- farrelly said the title of her lecture was “Ho- would allow city employees the ability to receive the suburbs ficial college organization—a move that gave mosexuality: What Every Heterosexual Should by carrie maxwell benefits for their same-sex domestic partners, it access to school funding. Know.” which was passed by consent decree. The issue The group also did its own fundraising. “Our “We had no idea what to expect” from the With the midterm elections on the horizon and that all four individuals said was critical right first fundraising activity was a drag show,” far- college audience, farrelly said. “And they were LGBT issues still hot-button news stories, Windy now is bullying among teenagers, in light of the relly said, laughing when he recalled the con- hanging from the rafters.” City Times caught up with four openly gay and individuals who have committed suicide since tention that accompanied the plans. “We had farrelly left ISU for graduate school in 1974. lesbian suburban elected officials to discuss this school year started. They all plan to work enormous debates over whether that was an He is currently a librarian at Arizona State Uni- the work they do and what that means for their with their local high schools to combat bullying appropriate thing to do.” The group found pro- versity. lives. These individuals are Marge Paul, an alder- so that young LGBT people do not feel the need man of the 3rd Ward in Berwyn; Colette Lueck to commit suicide in their communities. and Ray Johnson, village trustees in Oak Park; Regarding Chicago’s mayoral election, Paul and Mark Tendam, an alderman of the 6th Ward said the race will be lots of fun to watch, a sen- in Evanston. Johnson has been a trustee since timent echoed by Lueck and Tendam. Johnson 2003 but Lueck, Paul and Tendam have all been said that the next mayor needs to have a region- elected within the last two years. al perspective that takes into account the needs Each of these city officials has had a long his- of the suburban communities surrounding Chi- tory of advocacy work but these are their first cago, especially the suburbs that share a border forays into elected office. They all noted that with Chicago, which Oak Park does. Tendam also being gay or lesbian was a non-issue during mentioned that he is curious to see what Rahm their campaigns, except for Johnson; in his first Emanuel would do as mayor if he got elected. race in 2003, editorial boards asked him if he Why did they run for public office in the first would be an independent voter or if he would place? The officials said they wanted to help the vote the way that Joanne Trapani (who was then people in their communities, and that the key the Oak Park Village President and the first open to being a successful elected official is staying The Chicago Chapter of American lesbian elected to any office in Illinois) told him in touch with the people they represent. Lueck Veterans for Equal Rights to vote. (Johnson told the board he would make said “being an elected official is a ton of fun and is proud to host the up his own mind.) The voters in all three com- gratifying work and people need to step up and 18th Annual Veterans Day Dinner & Silent Auction munities were more interested in the economy, be active in public life.” Paul echoed what Lueck property taxes, budgets, capital improvements said when she stated, “I encourage everyone to “with liberty and justice for all” and schools. Paul, Lueck, Johnson and Tendam be civically active, come out, vote and run for Special Guest Speakers, Capt. Ann Bidwell & RD2 Lee Reinhart made it clear to their constituents that these is- office because it will be worthwhile.” Johnson sues would be their top priority, along with their remarked that “too few LGBT people are trying commitment to LGBT equality. to do too much” so he wants more LGBT people How are they working towards LGBT equality to get involved since there is a place for every- Thursday, Nov. 11 and awareness in their communities? Paul said one to get involved. Tendam said that getting 6:30pm - 9:30pm that LGBT issues have not cropped up during her involved is so important because you can learn Ann Sather time in office but Berwyn is becoming a place new things about yourself and the world around with a growing LGBT community. As for Lueck you. Restaurant and Johnson, they have had two issues come up And what does the future hold for LGBT elect- 909 W. Belmont in the past couple of years. ed officials? They are all optimistic that more Ann joined the Navy in 1980 Limited FREE Lee joined the Navy in 1995 One was when a group called the Illinois Safe will be elected as time goes on and Johnson re- and became a Naval Reservist and served until 1999. After Schools Alliance came into an elementary school marked that it is essential for the broader LGBT in 1988. She has a formidable PARKING leaving the Navy, Lee decided in Oak Park to train teachers and staff about community to interact more on a professional career in Ophthalmology. She Reserve tickets to go back into the military, different kinds of families in an effort to combat and social basis to foster more civic involve- is highly decorated with too early! and joined the Coast Guard. bullying. Some parents had an issue with their ment. Johnson also said that when LGBT people many awards to list here. DADT soon ended his career. kids learning about what they call “the gay life- get elected they need to engage with the entire www.averchicago.org www.thegreatphotoguy.com style” in the classroom; however, this training community and not just the LGBT community. was used to inform the adults in the building so Paul noted that there will only be a backlash if they could prevent bullying based on a student’s LGBT people get elected who are still closeted $35 Donation includes Cocktails and Dinner family makeup. and later come out. Another news-making issue occurred in Oak For information or reservations call Jim Darby, 773-752-0058 8 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES really getting much more involved in the politi- Morales praised efforts by current City Clerk, Lesbian activist cal arena and what that means at this time,” Mo- Miguel del Valle to modernize Chicago govern- rales said. But she was quick to add that she is ment and make information about things like eyes run for not in this race to make history. parking permits more accessible to residents. “I’m not running as a gay person or as a Puer- She promised to continue those efforts if elect- to Rican woman,” said Morales. “That’s not my ed. city clerk platform. That’s my makeup. That’s who I am.” “That department can do so much more,” she by Kate Sosin So why does she want to run for city clerk? said. “I feel that I am very qualified to run for this Morales also said that while she’s officially a Hesitantly but in no uncertain terms, Marilyn position,” Morales explained. “There’s a great Democrat, she considers herself an “independent Morales, a lesbian activist and Chicago Park Dis- job and you know you can do it, that you have advocate for the people.” While she’s never had trict operations manager, told Windy City Times the skill set, you have the experience, you have to run for office, she’s not daunted by the chal- that she plans on running for city clerk this Feb- the character, and you have the integrity; I’m lenge. “I’m not a politically established person, ruary. applying for that job.” you know. I’m glad I’m not.” “I’m in it,” Morales said, adding that her can- didacy is contingent on getting enough signa- tures (12,500) to put her on the ballot by the Nov. 22 deadline. OR CHADASH from cover [this] week. Fortunately, systems worked this If elected, Morales would not only be the first time. We will go about our business, though lesbian to hold that position, but she would be- service. Rabbi Zedek and Rabbi Edwards came with a bit more alertness.” come highest-ranking gay person in city govern- on the scene, and I went over to them—and Wahler said that what really scared him ment. She would also become the first Latina to that’s when I learned from [Or Chadash] Co- is that “we are in a building that has a day hold the position. Marilyn Morales. Photo courtesy of Morales President Bill Wahler that Congregation Or school. If that bomb had actually arrived and Morales announced her run on Facebook last Chadash was one of the intended recipients of gone off during the day—the number of chil- week. Since, she has gained a small online fol- erations manager for the Chicago Park District. the package. I just had to sit down. dren [who] would’ve been affected...” lowing of friends and colleagues. “With over 15 “I’m a city nut. I’m a city diehard. I love work- “Rabbi Zedek then made a formal announce- Wahler also said that he and Co-President years of dedicated public service in city govern- ing for the city,” she said. ment to our congregation at the dinner. ... We Lilli Kornblum had not heard from authorities ment and community advocacy, Marilyn is com- Morales has a history of activism in the LGBT then carried on, and figured there was no rea- as of the morning of Oct. 31. mitted to expanding accessibility, responsive- and Puerto Rican communities. In the 1980s, son to panic.” Reflecting what Weiser said about mov- ness, and transparency to the Office of the City she helped start LLENA (Latina Lesbians in Nue- He added that he was initially shell-shocked ing on and being aware, Wahler said, “We are Clerk for the residents of Chicago,” her Facebook stro Ambiente), the first Latina lesbian group in but that he is now “OK.” When asked how the continuing business as usual. We are having page boasts. Chicago. She is a former board member of Ami- development has affected his general state of services next Friday night [Nov. 5]. We will be Morales grew up in the Humboldt Park Neigh- gas Latinas, and just this year she collaborated mind and if he is more vigilant, Weiser said, extremely vigilant.” However, he acknowledged borhood of Chicago, and came out as a lesbian on a project honoring 1980s HIV/AIDS activist “I’m certainly [more vigilant] when we’re at that Or Chadash’s welcoming atmosphere could while at Public Park High School. She earned her Danny Sotomayor at the Institute of Puerto Ri- the synagogue. I was standing at the side be a hurdle: “That’s part of the problem [when] bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Aurora can Arts and Culture. doors which were locked, and someone I didn’t you’re a synagogue. What you don’t want to do University and went on to get her master’s de- “I think that my message really is this is an know wanted me to open the door. I didn’t is insult them. But what I’ve told people is, gree from University of Illinois-Chicago. For the opportunity to elevate the whole discussion of know who he was so I didn’t open the door, so ‘If you see someone you don’t know, challenge last 16 years, Morales has been working as op- people of color who happen to be gay or lesbian he came in through the front door. As it is, he them—especially if they’re walking around [was] someone who attends synagogue, but I with a knapsack.’” didn’t know him. I also look for packages. CNN.com has reported that the Dubai pack- Windy City Times, weighing in on the rash of gay “Actually, I’ve been to Israel a number of age possibly traveled on passenger planes to Duffy to receive teen suicides. “At all costs, we have to protect times, so it’s been my practice to do that be- get to that destination. U.S. officials believe our kids,” Duffy writes. “It’s clear that unless we fore this happened. ... It’s nothing new for al-Qaeda bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, Damski Award at shepherd them safely through the years during [the Jewish] community.” 28, is connected to the explosives found there which they are most vulnerable emotionally and Asked if he plans on continuing to attend and in England. Yemeni engineering student Gerber/Hart Nov. 7 even neurologically, we are in danger of losing Katherine “Kit” Duffy will receive the 13th An- service, Weiser said, “Oh, yeah. I don’t think Hanan Al-Samawi was arrested after her name them, either when they are young or later in nual Jon-Henri Damski Award Sunday, Nov. 7, [the situation is] going to deter anyone. ... and cell number were reportedly mentioned on their lives when their unhealed wounds are re- 4-6 p.m., at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Gran- We’ve certainly bonded with the Emanuel con- the packages; she has since been released, ac- opened by hatred and derision.” ville. gregation. They’re very supportive of us.” cording to the Yemen Observer. Damski would be right at her side. The event will include refreshments compli- Wahler told Windy City Times Oct. 31 that According to USA Today, Homeland Secu- ments of Gerber/Hart as well as dramatic read- he was setting up for the Oct. 29 service when rity Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the ings by the Theo Ubique Theatre (with Artistic Chicago to host 2013 he got a call from Edwards. “He said, ‘I’m on United States has extended its halt on Yemeni Director Fred Anzevino). my way,’” Wahler said. “I said, ‘I thought you air cargo in light for the development. The It’s hard not to wonder what columnist and IGLTA convention weren’t coming tonight because your wife is United Kingdom and German also joined the Chicago will host the International Gay and ranconteur Jon-Henri Damski would think, in ill.’ He said, ‘I’m on my way. We have an is- U.S. ban. Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA’s) annual the midst of this climate of closeted gay teens sue. ... The rabbi from Emanuel called me and Napolitano added that authorities were still global convention in 2013. This is the first time killing themselves and so many other hot-button said [Or Chadash] were the target of a terrorist attempting to determine if the bombs—which Chicago will be the site of the organization’s gay issues at hand. bomb.’ I was stunned.” contained the powerful explosive PETN—were signature networking and educational event. We can no longer read the prolific, insight- He added with a laugh, “I think Congrega- actually meant to explode at the synagogues “Chicago is a wonderful fit for our 2013 con- ful words of Damski (who would have been 74 tion Or Chadash and Congregation Emanuel are or inside the planes. vention,” said Tanya Churchmuch, IGLTA board Nov. 1) but Lori Cannon, program manager at the safest places to pray in Chicago right now. The World Congress of GLBT , of which Or chair, in a statement. “Not only is it a top-tier Groceryland (Vital Bridges), has seen to it that There are police every where, and police cars Chadash is a longtime member, issued a state- destination with a vibrant and diverse LGBT Damksi’s memory stays alive and well by honor- going through the lot about every 15 minutes. ment calling the congregants “our friends and community, but the city also offers exceptional ing a member of the community who shares his They responded well, but we’re still, like, ‘Why colleagues.” The congress’ president, Howard air access for both our North American and glob- drive and spirit. us?’” Solomon, asked people “to keep the members al members. This will be a perfect opportunity Duffy, 64, is the recipient of the 13th Annual Regarding the entire situation, Or Chadash of Or Chadash in [their] thoughts. We unequiv- for Chicago to highlight its amazing offerings Jon-Henri award, a longtime civil rights advo- Rabbi Larry Edwards e-mailed Windy City Times, ocally condemn this attempted act of violence to gay and lesbian travelers from around the cate for the LGBT community. This includes her “I actually know very little, and [what I know against the GLBT Jewish community. We are world.” 1984 appointment by Mayor is] third-hand, at best. My impression is that reminded to remain vigilant but to continue For more on IGLTA, see http://www.lgbt.trav- as the first mayoral liaison to Chicago’s LGBT Or Chadash was not targeted as a GLBT congre- living our lives.” el. communities, as well as Damski’s favorite co- gation, but more likely as part of a random list Or Chadash, which was founded in 1975, was conspirator. of Chicago synagogues. I hope to learn more inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall In 1985, she convened Mayor Washington’s HRC gala Nov. 6 of Fame in 2006. Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues, the pre- The Human Rights Campaign will hold its an- cursor to today’s Advisory Council on Lesbian, nual fundraising gala, “No Excuses,” Saturday, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. Also in Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago, Congregation 1985, she became the first executive director of 200 N. Columbus. Or Chadash the newly formed AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Among this year’s festivities is the awarding marched in After Washington’s untimely death in Novem- of the Community Equality Award to feminist/ this year’s ber 1987, instead of giving up, Duffy increased peace activist Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistleth- pride parade. her efforts as a vocal advocate for equal rights. waite. Photo by She worked in tandem with the Gang of Four— Tickets for the dinner and general reception, Kristin Damski, Rick Garcia, Laurie Dittman and Art including access to notable speakers from the Kowalski Johnston—securing the 1988 passage of the community, may be purchased for $225. Tick- historic gay-rights ordinance that bans discrim- ets for exclusive access to the VIP reception are ination. Not stopping there, Duffy co-founded $350. Visit http://www.hrcchicago10.com. the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (the forerunner of today’s Equality Illinois). Duffy penned an “It Gets Better” column for WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 9

Wed., Nov. 10 7:30 p.m. a Maud Lavin Push Comes to Shove: New Images of GAYin the Aggressive Women LIFE Greg Baird Thursday, Nov. 11 Text and PHOTOS by John Fenoglio Public speaker/actor 7:30 p.m. Will Fellows Gay Bar Greg Baird is a public speaker, but he’s far from a company spokesman. He’s also a filmmaker, but not at all a Hollywood magnate (not yet anyway). And, he’s an actor and playwright but you probably won’t 5233 N. Clark find him on Broadway. The truth is that Greg Baird (773) 769-9299 is a pretty average guy. But, once he takes the stage, his message is anything but ordinary: “Be the voice of change in your life.” They are words he lives by every day, as he travels the country, speaking to students, teachers, community groups and the like about the importance of coming out; embracing diversity; and understanding the nexus [email protected] of hate crimes in America. www.womenandchildrenfirst.com Windy City Times caught up with Baird Sept. Parking Available 30 at The Center on Halsted. There, he introduced Wheelchair Accessible Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard (the University of Wyoming student who died follow- ing a brutal hate crime in 1998). Baird and Shep- pard were speaking to educators and students for a series of seminars hosted by the Illinois Safe School Alliance. When asked how he got into the inspiration biz, he said, “I suppose it evolved somewhat organically. I’ve worked in education most of my life. But, when I was younger I always feared what others would think if they knew I was gay. I realized I had to get over that hurdle in my life. I eventually joined a gay-straight alliance (GSA), and I began the difficult business of coming to terms with the real me. Also, my brother and I are both adopted from different families and we’re both gay. Of course, that realization [being gay] came later on.” So, what’s a typical day like for Baird? “It’s an unusual job, definitely not a typical 9-to-5 gig. I’m on the road a lot. When I’m not preparing for a lecture, I love to cook for friends, anyone who’ll eat. And, I love taking photos of the stuff I’ve prepared and posting them online. If I ever stop being an activist and speaker, maybe I’ll make a cookbook,” he amused, then added, “Honestly, though, my film project has kept me very busy. It’s an important story.” That film, which is currently in post-production, is an ambitious endeavor. (The working title is Second Class Citizen: Gay Rights and the New Millennium.) It examines the murder of Matthew Shepard and the town of Laramie, Wyo., a decade after his death. With candid interviews of the people who lived through Matthew’s murder, the trial that ensued and its aftermath, Baird spot- lights troubling facts of life for LGBTQ people and their allies: Why hasn’t Wyoming, and much nightspots of America, expanded hate-crimes legislation to protect gay people? And, why is homophobia so pervasive in American culture? In addition to his speaking engagements over the last 17 years, Baird’s accomplishments also include co-hosting his own TV program in Northern Michigan called “ARTiculation.” And, Dr. Ruth Westheimer (“Dr. Ruth”) recognized him for his contributions to her book, Guide to College Life. “I’ve never heard someone his age talk about issues like that,” said Tiffany Effort, a student who attended the seminar at the Center Sept. 30. “Most adults don’t relate to you that way, so the stats it’s a good feeling to know that there are people out there like him.” Asked whether or not he has any critics, Baird replied, “Who doesn’t? I’m not in this to debate Name anyone, though. I just love being out there and I hope some people are listening.” Greg Baird Like a troubadour, his songs are personal narratives that offer hope and compassion to audi- ences, gay and straight alike. They are heartfelt, witty and, perhaps, more important now than Neighborhood ever before. Lakeview Have your Age premiums 49 Hometown increased Imlay City, Mich. recently? Hobbies Cooking for friends (with See me: Mexican cuisine and seafood Charles T. Rhodes, being his specialties) Agent 2472 N. Clark Relationship status 773.281.0890 Single State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (not in NJ) State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) To learn more about Baird, his upcoming film, or to find out where to catch his next lecture, Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois check out http://www.GregRBaird.com. 10 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES VIEWPOINTS WINDY CITY there are those who will argue that he’s lucky, what they should be doing (or not doing), and TIMES or isn’t a bareback bottom, or… any number of not enough about what they are doing well. They VOL. 26 No. 5, Nov. 3, 2010 MARK S. qualifiers that seek to minimize the fact he’s have had to plod along, making the best choices The combined forces of Windy City Times, maintained his status. Why can’t we exalt those they could to remain negative, fearing every founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, KING who continue to make good choices? blood test, and often watching friends become founded May 1987. I’m comfortable making this argument because infected with HIV. I just wonder if HIV-negative I’m HIV-positive. I’ve been washed in the blood. gay men get a little tired of being overlooked PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tracy Baim I’m cloaked in the righteousness of knowing because they ... never became infected? “what it’s like” to live with HIV. Yeah. Tell that People living with HIV face daily stigma and ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky The uneasy truce to my HIV-negative brother, who lost his lover prejudice, from the workplace to the dating MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis of 15 years to AIDS, after two horrific years car- pool. But this isn’t a contest. HIV negative men BUSINESS MANAGER Meghan Streit DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright between positive ing for him. Tell my brother he doesn’t get it. may not hold the trump card, but their lives ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson Since the earliest days of the AIDS pandemic avoiding HIV can be more stressful than my life ACCOUNT MANAGERS: Terri Klinsky, Amy Matheny, and negative among gay men, those infected with HIV have living with it. Kirk Williamson been the focus of the gay community’s atten- It’s this thinking that led me to create a video PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Cynthia Holmes Sometimes it seems there is a silent, wary truce NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING EDITOR Kirk Williamson tions and empathy. In 1983, the “Denver Prin- message for HIV-negative gay men for my blog, NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 between those of us who are HIV-positive and ciples” [http://www.actupny.org/documents/ “My Fabulous Disease” (http://www.MyFabu- SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Marie our friends who remain negative. We won’t make Denver.html]—a list of rights for and by people lousDisease.com). It’s my hope that our commu- J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Keen, them feel guilty about being negative if they with AIDS—set the stage for those actually liv- nity can get more comfortable supporting each Yasmin Nair, Emmanuel Garcia don’t blame us for being positive. THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan ing with the virus to have control of their health other regardless of status, and give some love CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. Ever seen negative guys complaining about care and a voice in the community. People with and credit where it is due. BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair the grind of continually making “proper” sexual HIV/AIDS were put in positions of leadership Please check out “In Praise of HIV Negative ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS choices, or how frustrating it is to watch a friend and looked towards for vision, and understand- Gay Men” (http://marksking.com/my-fabulous- Mary Shen Barnidge, Jim Edminster, Steve Warren, test positive? Not if a positive guy was within Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Catey Sullivan, ably so. It was a historic document that has in- disease/in-praise-of-hiv-negative-gay-men) and Zachary Whittenburg, Jonathan Abarbanel earshot, that’s for damn sure. The whole topic is fluenced patient care and advocacy ever since, share it with a negative friend. It might be just COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Susie fraught with shame and guilt and blame, when for all sorts of diseases. But the early focus on the validation he’s been waiting for. And it’s Day, Jorjet Harper, Lee Lynch, Steve Starr, Lisa what’s needed is quite the opposite: a chance to and triage mentality for those with HIV/AIDS, long overdue. Keen, Charlsie Dewey, Michael Knipp, Mark Corece, lift up, to celebrate HIV-negative gay men for Sabine Neidhardt, Sam Worley, Billy Masters, John in the years since, often came at the expense of Mark S. King is an award-winning writer and Fenoglio, Chuck Colbert, Micki Leventhal, Sarah their achievement. real attention being paid to those that remained author of A Place Like This. His video blog, Toce, Rachel Pepper And make no mistake: any single, sexually HIV negative. And speaking for myself, I don’t http://www.MyFabulousDisease.com, takes an PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel Ferrand, Hal active gay man that remains HIV-negative has want to be looked upon any differently in this often comic look at his life as an HIV-positive Baim, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia something to be proud of. And he should be rid- struggle, thank you very much. gay man in recovery. CIRCULATION ing a float in the pride parade if he likes. Sure, Today, HIV-negative gay men hear a lot about CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, Sue and Victor most LGBT characters on television are white (I have listed many of them in the Resource and upper middle class. (I use the term “LGBT” Directory of my own Mombian site.) They chart cautiously, however, since transgender charac- the pathways of our lives, from the unique and Copyright 2010 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media dana Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back ters are nearly nonexistent, and bisexual char- quirky to the mundane. issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). rudolph acters only slightly less so.) Prestigious nursery We, the audience, also have to tell the net- Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and schools go with the white, upper middle class works when they get it right, when they offend, no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. territory—as do plotlines around them. and when they simply fall into stereotype. Even All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned The reality is somewhat different. Research by ostensibly positive stereotypes—like being fi- for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing Gary Gates of the Williams Institute at UCLA has nancially well off—have a downside. They limit and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own Modern Family, shown that almost four times as many lesbian people’s perceptions of LGBT families and ignore and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City couples raising children (and two-and-a-half the fact that we exist throughout the popula- Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy The L Word and times as many gay male couples with kids) re- tion—whether one looks at geography, race/ City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the ceive public assistance, compared to opposite- ethnicity, age, or economics. sexual orientation of such person or organization. While telling our stories we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make sex married couples with kids. One in five chil- Mostly, though, we need to keep telling our this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept stories, whenever and however we can. Not Gay dads Mitchell and Cameron of ABC’s Mod- dren being raised by a same-sex couple lives in responsibility for advertising claims. because a TV writer is likely to overhear us in (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 ern Family were looking for a preschool for their poverty. the supermarket or stumble upon our blogs, but e-mail: [email protected] daughter Lily in the Oct. 20 episode of the hit In terms of race and ethnicity, 72 percent of all same-sex couples identify as white, versus because as more people in our neighborhoods, series. Mitchell was worried that a failure to get www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com 79 percent of opposite-sex married couples, not schools and workplaces get to know LGBT fami- into the “right” preschool would have a negative radio: WindyCityQueercast.com lies, the more they, too, will realize the narrow impact on Lily’s future. They come to believe, too different—but only 59 percent of same-sex video: QueerTVNetwork.com lens through which most media portrays us. They however, that they’ll be a shoo-in for the most couples with children identify as white, versus are then more likely to consider us based on the WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, prestigious preschool in town. Even though 73 percent of opposite-sex married parents. individuals we are, not on the labels we may 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640 USA they’re white, they’re a gay couple with an ad- What can television networks do, then, to in- have. (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) opted Asian daughter, and schools love to brag crease the diversity of LGBT characters and fam- If I also never have to watch another same-sex about their diversity. Thing go awry, of course, ilies on their shows? Hiring LGBT writers with Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. couple on television try to out-diversify another Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. when an interracial lesbian couple, one of whom differing backgrounds may help, but that alone to get their kid into preschool, so much the bet- Identity (BLACKlines and En La Vida): Now is in a wheelchair, show up with their African- is still likely to provide the perspective of only a limited number of people per show. ter. online only American adopted daughter. Cam and Mitchell Deadline The 10th of month prior. have just been out-diversified. What writers and producers need to do, I Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Wait. Is there a time warp? I feel like I’ve just believe—regardless of their own orientation— of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and been transported back to 2008, when Show- is tap into the increasingly rich vein of stories resource directory for LGBT parents. LGBT parents and our children are telling. There time’s The L Word featured moms Tina (white) www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com and Bette (half Black and half white) trying to are essay collections such as Who’s Your Daddy? www.WindyCityQueercast.com www.QueerTVNetwork.com get their daughter, Angelica, into preschool. And Other Writings on Queer Parenting, ed. Ra- Bette was stressing about what not getting into chel Epstein, and And Baby Makes More: Known “Windy City Media Group generated a good preschool would mean for Angelica’s col- Donors, Queer Parents, and Our Unexpected Fam- enormous interest among their readers lege prospects. They think they’ll have a good ilies, ed. Susan Goldberg and Chloë Brushwood Send letters and in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index shot, though, since Lily is a “biracial daughter of Rose. There are books with insights and stories Survey. Out of approximately 100 lesbian moms”—but then they meet a white gay from teens and adult children of LGBT parents, viewpoints to such as Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Par- print and online media partners who male couple trying to get into the same school. participated in the survey, Windy One of the men says he thinks their son’s chanc- ents Tell It Like It Is, by Abigail Garner, and Let’s Andrew@WindyCity Get This Straight: The Handbook for City was the best performing regional es of admission are good, explaining, “Ed’s a MediaGroup.com. media in the U.S. Only survey partners Christian and I’m Muslim. Lucas is adopted, and Youth with LGBTQ Parents, by Tina Fakhrid-Deen. There is social science research full of anecdotes with a nationwide footprint were he’s half Jewish, a quarter Latino and a quarter Items may be able to generate a greater number of Chinese.” Out-diversified again. such as those compiled by Dr. Abbie Goldberg in Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children. responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research Sigh. So few shows on television that feature edited for Director, Community Marketing, Inc. LGBT families, and they can’t even come up with There are also LGBT parenting groups at com- length or clarity. different storylines? munity centers and elsewhere. While the group This shouldn’t surprise me, of course. I’ve writ- members might not want a television writer sit- ten before about the “wacky antics of lesbians ting in on a gathering, they might be willing to in search of a sperm donor” plot that seems to speak on an individual basis. pervade most shows involving lesbians. Original- Online, there are stories told daily by LGBT par- ity doesn’t seem to count for much here. And ents and our children in blogs and other forums. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Image by Quantrell Colbert HANDY THANDIE Thandie Newton (left) and Whoopi Goldberg are just two of the stars in the movie For Colored Girls. See page 15. THEATER REAL ESTATE BOOKS ‘Cinderella’ men. Freddy, set, go. Maupin and Page 12. Page 16. ‘Mary Ann.’

Photo by Danny Nicholas Photo courtesy of Freddy Allen Page 17. Photo courtesy of Maupion

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT this is the first time that Daniels is appearing Trans-ition in Australian director Neil Armfield’s new co- When Evanston native Rebecca Kling previous- production, which has been previously staged in ly developed her one-woman show, Trans Form, ‘Midsummer’ Houston and Toronto. at Links Hall, it was relatively a low-tech affair Daniels is apprehensive, particularly since that grew out of the Charged Bodies workshops magic to do Armfield has staged Oberon to fly 17 feet above led by famed gay performance artist Tim Miller. BY SCOTT C. MORGAN the stage in a partially caged platform through- But now that Trans Form is receiving a full- out most of the opera. fledged staging with New Suit Theatre in Studio U.S. countertenor David Daniels is back in town “I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie,” 2 of the Athenaeum Theatre, Kling is happy to to star in the Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere Daniels said. “I don’t love heights, but I’m going have a whole creative team (even including a of Benjamin Britten’s operatic take on Shake- for it 100 percent and see how it goes.” projection designer) to support her solo show speare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An openly Previously seen at the Lyric in Gluck’s Orfeo ed examining her life as a trans-gendered woman. gay man, Daniels sees the obvious humor in Euridice and Handel’s Partenope and Julius Cae- Kling’s collaborators “give more outside cre- playing Oberon, king of the fairies. sar, Daniels is happy to be back in Chicago not ative input and allow all of their contributions “What could be better?” said Daniels, winning only for one opera, but two. (Daniels appears to push me to a higher level of performance as a hearty laugh from the audience as a panelist later this season in Handel’s Hercules in the ser- well as to polish up the language and to tweak at the Lyric’s recent Discovery Series symposium vant role of Lichas under the baton of conductor what’s going on stage,” she said during a tele- titled Shakespeare Goes to the Opera. Harry Bicket and director Peter Sellars.) phone interview. Indeed, Daniels has been open about his sexual “It’s perfect for me because I love Chicago and In Trans Form, the 26-year-old Kling says the orientation throughout his career as one of the I love the Lyric,” Daniels said. “To be here for show is a relatively linear presentation filled world’s top operatic countertenors (male altos). two shows is a treat. They’re very different roles with personal stories that go “through my ex- And it is Daniels’ amazing voice that has been obviously, with Britten and Handel.” periences as a child knowing that something invaluable to many opera companies producing During his last Lyric visit in 2007, Daniels ap- wasn’t right with my gender, going through florid Baroque works by composers like Handel preciated being part of an operatic lecture at the adolescence and puberty and all of the fun and and Vivaldi (since the superstar castratos who Center on Halsted, and he says he’d be happy to terror of that. And then more recently realizing were originally cast in those 18th-century op- do more outreach if asked. But Daniels is also what steps I can take in beginning to transition eras are mercifully no longer with us). aware of his place in the showbiz ladder when and how that’s worked.” But Oberon is a slightly different beast, coming it comes to outreach from major LGBT organiza- Trans Form is just one of many ways Kling does from the pen of gay composer Benjamin Britten tions. her part to inform more people about the trans- in 1960. Britten wanted an otherworldly sound “Classical music artists are not the first people gender community. Kling has also done presen- for Oberon, so he wrote the role with counter- David Daniels in Benjamin Britten’s 1960 who are sought out,” Daniels said. “It’s Lance tations for medical students and other outreach tenor Alfred Deller in mind—despite the paucity opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bar- Bass and people like that who are on their radar. activities. But her heart is in the performing of major countertenor singers at the time. celona’s Teatro del Liceu. Photo by Antonio I tried to offer to sing for GLAAD events and arts. “I think [Britten] does a remarkable job of Bofill things, but there’s little to no interest.” “The idea of writing out and processing out capturing the color and the essence of the char- The Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere of A Mid- some of my life in that way and then creating acters and the emotions—especially the fairies, easiest role to sing. summer Night’s Dream plays for seven perfor- a stage piece was very attractive to me,” Kling with all of their ominous music,” Daniels said. “It’s not a role that sits particularly comfort- mances (7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 8, 10, 20 and 23, and said. “It seemed very empowering and a way to A Midsummer Night’s Dream is also remarkable able for the countertenor voice—for me, for 2 p.m. Nov. 13 and 17) at the Civic Opera House, understand some of my own issues by communi- since Britten and tenor Peter Pears (his longtime anybody,” Daniels said during the symposium. 20 N. Wacker. British conductor Rory Macdonald cating them to others.” partner) adapted the libretto almost entirely “It’s a very low tessitura role and it’s very sim- will conduct in his Lyric debut, and the opera New Suit Theatre presents Trans Form at 7:30 with text from Shakespeare’s original play. ple. But why I continue to sing it is because the will be performed in English with projected Eng- p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Daniels is grateful that Britten spurred other entire opera itself, and the way the character of lish titles. Tickets are $33-$207. Call 312-332- Sundays between Nov. 4 and Dec. 5 at the Athe- 20th-century composers to consider the coun- Oberon fits into it, it is so magical.” 2244 ext. 5600 or visit http://www.lyricopera. naeum Theatre Studio 2, 2936 N. Sheffield. Tick- tertenor voice for new operas (like Jonathan Daniels has previously triumphed as Oberon org for more information. ets are $15. Call 800-982-2787 or visit http:// Dove’s Flight and Peter Eotvos’s Three Sisters). multiple times, most notably at the Metropoli- www.newsuittheatre.com. But Daniels says Oberon isn’t the showiest or the tan Opera in New York and La Scala in Italy. But 12 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW CRITICS’ PICKS The Other

Cinderella Aftermath, Signal Ensemble, Nov. 6 Playwright: book by Jackie Taylor, through Dec 12. Ronan Marra’s docudrama music and lyrics by Jackie Taylor of Brian Jones and the founding of the Roll- and Michael Ward, et al. ing Stones had to turn away playgoers at At: Black Ensemble Theatre at the Beacon its premiere last spring. If you were among Street Community Center, 1450 N. Beacon them, you’ve got just six weeks to catch Phone: 773-769-4451; $45 this future award-winner. MSB Runs through: Jan. 9, 2011 Billy Elliot the Musical, Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE through Nov. 28. This multi-award-winning Elton John/Lee Hall musical (which has to The story was simple enough when it premiered close early) carries an important message in 1976: A boy from the hood is hired as a page that should not only resonate with LGBTs, by the kingdom of Other’s First Family, where he but anyone who has to overcome insur- acts as our guide to a world of wealthy parents mountable odds to achieve a dream. SCM anxious for their son to marry and a poor girl Romeo and Juliet, Chicago Shakespeare seeking escape from the projects. But with the Theater, through Nov. 21. Classical and passage of time, this scenario came to encom- modern pieces blend perfectly in a physical- pass other themes: An immigrant from Kansas ly gorgeous show in which the text drives named Dorothy passes Other’s citizenship test. the action instead of slowing it down to The newly relocated Page’s friends accuse him sound like poetry. Splendid wing-and-drop of forgetting his roots and are refuted. The royal set. Stunning flesh. JA servants overcome the issues arising from their Sweet Bird of Youth, The Artistic Home, disparate complexions. The King initially disap- through Nov. 28. Dale Calandra’s juicy pro- proves, but comes to accept, the prince’s gay duction of Tennessee Williams’ very enter- From left: Heather Wood, Mary Beth Fisher and Cliff Chamberlain in The Seagull. Photo by Liz best friend. And in this latest production, our taining 1959 drama is full of plusses. Kathy Lauren page advises his little sister to shun bad com- Scambiatterra’s fading Hollywood starlet is panions. a hoot, while Eric Odor’s self-possessed ar- THEATER REVIEW hours required for masters and servants alike The fairy tale that launched the saga of Black rogance (and gorgeous golden torso) makes to self-destruct, though, is the wholesale com- Ensemble Theatre, in short, has grown in the for an especially lovely gigolo. SCM The Seagull mitment of a dream-team acting ensemble that, 24 years leading up to the culmination of the —By Abarbanel, Barnidge Playwright: Anton Chekhov after a seven-week rehearsal regimen rarely es- dream first conceived by its founder, Jackie Tay- and Morgan At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn sayed in commercial theater, has plumbed the lor (another girl from the projects), of its own Phone: 312-443-3800; $10-$45 depths of their text, word by word and minute playhouse, scheduled to open next autumn. But Runs through: Nov. 21 by minute. (To cite one example: The play opens then, the configurations of the fantasy liter- From The Hood” is reason enough to revisit this with servants carrying in a large rock to serve ary genre have always been flexible, reshaping annual holiday event. But the 2010 text also BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE as, literally, a pedestal upon which Irina’s son themselves to the cultural parameters of their boasts updated references: When the invitations and would-be playwright, Konstantin, places the audiences. If a stretch limo with a chauffeur to the palace party arrive by telegram, a young There’s a reason why no writer ever went broke girl who will break his heart.) This close scrutiny who looks like Flavor Flav is today’s princess- recipient asks, “Why didn’t they just post it on proclaiming the woes of the rich and privileged. applies even to “offstage” personnel, who bide in-training’s idea of swanky transportation (with Facebook?” And while the current production The luxurious lifestyles of those cursed with too their time seated in a row of chairs where their another car, piloted by a Denzel Washington features such BET regulars as Trinity Murdock, much money allows consumers of all demograph- activities in absence from the central action are lookalike, for the sorceress providing it)—well, Rhonda Preston and Rueben Echoles, it also pro- ics to indulge in private fantasies of material visible to spectators. why should Charles Perrault complain? vides a showcase for emerging talents on the indulgence undiluted by social restraints. Thus Performance demands the labor of both per- A score ranging from our Fairy God Mama’s Chicago theater scene like Lawrence Williams, are Chekhov’s portraits of fin-de-siècle Russian formers and audience, making a production with reggae-tempo “You Make Me Wish (I Make the Noreen Stark and Daniel Simmons, among oth- aristocracy recalled nowadays less for the philo- no down time or throwaway speeches strenuous Wish Come True)” and Cinderella’s bittersweet ers. Why not enjoy a last look at the room in sophical chitchat of their frustrated subjects work, no matter what your part in its execution. “Don’t Bring Me Souvenirs”—both dating from which real-life Cinderella wishes flowered until than for their quaint, but oh-so-ornate stage The experience is well worth the effort, however, the original production—to the rap-style “Boys they reached fruition? decor and decorum. with the intimacy generated by this spartan ap- Well, Robert Falls isn’t letting us get away with proach illuminating the smallest secrets hidden Director Jeremy Wechsler has been blessed by it this time. The scenic country estate owned beneath the surface of the most self-effacing THEATER REVIEW a great pair of actors to flesh out Moses’ two by famous actress Irina Arkadina and her re- personalities. Kelly O’Sullivan and Mary Beth The Four of Us characters: Usaman Ally as the ambitious play- clusive brother, Sorin, is a bare wooden floor, Fisher may steal the show as, respectively, the Playwright: Itamar Moses wright David and Collin Geraghty as the young and the wardrobe of the guests at this lakeside forthright Masha and brassy Irina, but look for At: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont and hot author Benjamin. summer home is conspicuously casual, stopping Francis Guinan and Janet Ulrich Brooks to give Phone: 773-975-8150; $15-$30 Both Ally and Geraghty show a natural rap- just short of T-shirts and clamdiggers. And so, the often-ignored Sorin and Polina their mo- Runs through: Dec. 4 port with each other, whether it’s as wide- from the first moments forth, our characters’ ments in the light, too. Indeed, repeat viewings eyed youths at camp ready to scale the artistic despair over existences rendered meaningless are advised, so densely layered are the multiple BY SCOTT C. MORGAN heights in their future, or as aggravated adults by genteel poverty, frustrated affections and/or dimensions in this powerful interpretation of a who feel cut off and even betrayed by someone self-imposed inertia remains unrelieved by dis- familiar classroom-classic. Oh, what joy to be young and talented! And oh, once thought of as a close friend. Ally and Ger- tracting froufrou. how awkward it is to be friends with that young aghty’s many jumps in ages is abetted by Roger What rivets our attention during the three someone who has made millions off of his writ- Wykes’ shifting and revealing scenery (framed ing talent, especially when you have your own in lush red Indian textile panels) and Christine aspirations of becoming a respected writer! Pascual’s costumes that places the characters That’s the comic crux behind Itamar Moses’ appropriately in different stages of success in very funny play The Four of Us, now making its their lives. SPOTLIGHT Chicago debut via a very witty production by So how does Moses’ two-hander about two Theater Wit. Flashing backwards and forwards in friends justify its Four of Us title? Well, let’s time, Moses shows how gargantuan critical and just say that there’s a twist toward the end that financial success drives a wedge between two makes you re-evaluate everything that has come close friends who gradually devolve into becom- before and after it that makes clear that your ing artistic “frenemies.” assumptions of watching a two-character play Moses also layers on lots of wry commentary isn’t entirely what they cracked up to be. in The Four of Us. He shows how hotshot young And with that, The Four of Us kicks up its clev- writers become marketable commodities courted erness an extra notch. For some, The Four of Us by Hollywood types and also slams critics who might be all too snarky and satiric for its own automatically dismiss an author based upon his good, but for me it was a richly rewarding ex- There will certainly be plenty of campy laughs in Commonwealth Theatre Company’s Church age (Moses is particularly merciless in this re- amination of how a drastic change of fortune Girls, Umatilla USA, The Musical, since it features a bunch of guys portraying the “ladies” spect since he, too, is a young playwright who can affect a strong artistic friendship. of Umatilla Second Christian church Women’s Auxiliary in a special Mother’s Day Pageant tal- has already achieved great success in his twen- ent show. But the show’s authors also promise to explore how religion is often manipulated ties with plays like Bach at Leipzig and Celebrity to achieve more self-centered personal goals. Church Girls, Umatilla USA, The Musical plays Row). Online this week: through Nov. 21 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. Performances are 8:15 p.m. Thursdays through Moses’ writing is sharply satirical while offer- —The play K. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20-$25; call 773-327-5252 or visit http://www. ing moments of heartfelt emotion. It is wonder- stage773.org. Photo of the cast courtesy of Commonwealth Theatre Company ful stuff for actors to work with, as evidenced by Theater Wit’s fun production. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 13 MUSIC change really happens. You need the big, cata- clysmic events of course but you need the hard, Robbie Williams day-to-day stuff. Terri Hemmert gets her “Music is a big part of that. Working a lot in releases single, the AIDS community, I’ve seen people who are greatest-hits CD due with Hall of Fame honor really sick and dying and music giving them sol- Robbie Williams has released the single ace. Music has helped me through every difficult by Micki Leventhal “Shame” on Astralwerks Records. The single time of my life. Music elevates. My mother was a was co-written with former Take That band- musician and spent her life bring people of very Terri Hemmert, Chicago rock-and-roll institution mate Gary Barlow, and is a duet between the different backgrounds together through music.” and the voice of WXRT-FM radio for 37 years, will two singers. Hemmert is well known for her social con- be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame The single is a new track on Williams’ 39- science and countless hours devoted to volun- at a fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 6. Her presenter song greatest-hits set, In And Out Of Con- teer teaching, lending her celebrity to worthy will be Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. sciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990-2010, out benefits across the city and her work with the Nominees in several categories are selected on CD and DVD through Astralwerks Records. LGBT community. This schedule doesn’t leave her each year by a committee and individuals win The album is spread over two CDs and is the much time for hobbies or leisure, although she based on a popular vote. “So, I’m homecoming definitive hits collection of one of the Eng- does carve out time for reading and dinners with queen,” said Hemmert with a laugh. land’s best-known singers. friends. “This is a nice honor, but I do feel a little awk- In a press release, Williams said, “It’s in- “I’ve always wanted to live a life of service,” ward about it,” said Hemmert, who has never credible to listen to the album and realize said Hemmert, who once considered a vocation played the diva, despite having ready access to that it’s already been 20 years of making as a nun. “It’s my modus operandi and value of international music legends such as Paul McCa- music and playing gigs. And the great thing living. You don’t just sit around and figure out rtney and Melissa Etheridge. “The nuns always about the album is that it’s not only a cel- how you are going to spend you’re money, you told us never to get big-headed about these ebration of my past but also a bridge to the get busy and do stuff.” She credits her ethic to things, that this too shall pass. future. The fact that part of the future in- her Catholic faith and the values her parents in- “What really meant a lot to me is that so many cludes a name from my past makes it all the stilled during her youth in Piqua, Ohio. of the people who voted got on our website and more poignant for me.” “Luckily, with the radio I can do service and wrote notes that really touched me. Not just have some fun at the same time. I encourage my comments like, ‘Love your show, been listening students to find their own passion and to figure for 530 years,’ but meaningful things. I believe Indigo Girls out creatively what they can do to make a better in the community and the relationship that ra- Terri Hemmert. Photo by Micki Leventhal world. One of my parting shots at the end of the show Dec. 7 dio builds. I understand that because I’ve felt a Indigo Girls will perform Tuesday, Dec. 7, at semester is hoping that they find success, fulfill relationship with people I’ve listened to and I’m the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. all their dreams, but when they figured out a honored to be on the other end of that. very interesting.” The show is part of WXRT’s 24th Annual way they can really change the world, then call “I’m thrilled about Billy because I’ve been a The range of “classic rock” played at WXRT may Holiday Concerts for the Kids Concert Series. me, because that’s when I’m really going to be Smashing Pumpkins fan since they first came well contribute to the wide scope of many in- Past concerts have featured , David proud of them, because success isn’t enough.” out. He used to listen to XRT when he was a kid dividual’s rock tastes. Hemmert certainly thinks Bowie, Melissa Etheridge, Poi Dog Pondering, The Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony and every time I play their version of Landslide so. “We’re very unique. Which is why everybody John Fogerty and KT Tunstall. is Saturday, Nov. 6, at WTTW studios, 5400 N. I can just picture him as a high school kid laying stays there, they don’t want to go anywhere Tickets are available; visit http://www. St. Louis. Cocktails are at 6 p.m.; dinner is in bed at night and listening to the Fleetwood else,” she said. “There’s that sense of continu- LiveNation.com. Mac original—and then he covers it.” ity, starting 38 years ago. I didn’t set out to do at 7 p.m. Tickets are $350.00; call 312-245- Hemmert’s younger sister, Julie, will come that, the station didn’t set out to do that, it 8200 or visit http://www.radiohof.org/. in from Ohio to attend the awards. Julie also just evolved. I’m glad that we didn’t stick in the accompanied her to the White House this sum- past, Lin Brehmer says ‘the past is a great place mer when Paul McCartney received the Gershwin to visit, but I don’t want to live there’. I like the Award. “Paul kissed her on the cheek; I’m her fa- combination and the challenge to me of listen- vorite sister now,” said Hemmert with a laugh. ing to and evaluating new music. I’ve had this Hemmert’s knowledge of music has justifiably conversation with Mavis Staples, who thought River North Dance Chicago been called encyclopedic. She is not merely a all her fans were over 50. She played Lollapa- repository of historical facts, but is deeply en- looza this summer and totally flipped out that gaged in the history of music and the way it has all these kids were out there and they really ‘got’ both influenced and been influenced by political her stuff. I told her that Dr. King would be proud and cultural events and movements. of her because she’s giving the kids a history In her classes at Columbia College, she em- lesson, you’re inspiring them and you’re getting phasizes these themes. “From the get-go I tell their backfield in motion. That’s amazing. the students that if you don’t understand race “That’s our job as the older generation, not relations and the history of the races in the to say, ‘oh, kids these days’, but to inspire and United States, you don’t understand American to teach. I want them to be well informed so music,” said Hemmert. “It’s not isolated, it’s not they can deal with the present and the future. ‘here’s music and here’s life’. It’s the same thing The deeper you go into history the better pre- now. I go to Lollapalooza and I think, ‘this is pared you are. I bring history into the music Woodstock, except people keep their clothes class. You can’t understand Jimmy Hendrix if you “...A limitless talent to on—which is good. don’t understand the civil rights movement and “I think there’s a lot of great music out now the Vietnam War and the demographics of the entertain...irresistible” that speaks to the current generation, and to baby boom and changes in technology—it’s all - Sid Smith, anyone who really takes the time to listen. Now intertwined.” SeeChicagoDance.com the technology is different, the culture is dif- Hemmert agreed with Yoko Ono that music ferent. We’ve had our Beatles, we’ve had our El- truly has the power to heal. “Even if you make vis. It doesn’t mean it’s better or worse, it’s just the music in your own garage and wouldn’t every different. You’ll never have everybody sitting in put it out, that vibration is healing the world,” front of the TV watching the Beatles. People will Ono was quoted as saying, in an Oct. 5 Chicago TiVo it, there are 57 channels available. That Tribune article. [kind of mass experience] won’t be replicated. “I’ve seen it happen,” Hemmert said. She also World Premiere by Sidra Bell We’re much more segmented as a society. emphasized the need for perseverance. “That’s not to take away from what’s going “One of the beefs I have with my generation, on now. The other thing I find very encouraging and I’m very candid with my students about ONE NIGHT ONLY! is that young folks now are into their contem- it, is that we were going to change the world porary music, but are also into, and extremely and it didn’t happen in 15 minutes and it was SATURDAY, NOV. 13 • 8 P.M. darned hard, so let’s forget about it and work aware of, music from 40 and 50 years ago. Now, Tickets $30 and up when we were growing that would be us doing on our portfolios. The thing is that when you the Charleston—we weren’t interested. Music make change, more often than not you make has helped erase the ‘don’t trust anyone over change in the world you live in. Our world, our thirty’ crap that we bought into. That’s a very spheres are smaller than John Lennon’s world. healthy trend. I think if you check most kids’ iP- His influence was a lot bigger. But every person, ods, they’ve got the new music on there but they no matter what they do, has the potential to have Beatles and Stones and maybe Howlin’ Wolf change attitudes, change hearts. Being a Catho- 312.334.7777 and some old Country. I turned my students onto lic girl and a follower of Dr. King, I believe in harristheaterchicago.org the Carter family. They love Johnny Cash—and the conversion of the soul, that you win people that music is prehistoric to them—I find that over one person at a time. I believe that’s how 14 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES MOVIES Reeling 2010: First-week overview By Richard Knight, Jr. Access complete festival information, tickets, theatres and locations by calling 773-293-1447 Reeling 2010, the second-oldest gay and lesbian or visiting http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org. film festival in the country (after San Francisco) Highlights of Reeling’s second-week schedule is almost 30 and on Nov. 4-13, will give film en- will run in next week’s Windy City Times. thusiasts what they’ve come to expect: so many Here’s a brief overview of other first-week LGBT-themed shorts and full length movies (of Reeling fest highlights, as compiled by Richard all genres) that one nearly overdoses on the Knight, Jr. (RKJ), Andrew Davis (AD) and Steve plethora of choices. This year, festival founder/ Warren (SW): artistic director Brenda Webb and her staff have Thursday, Nov. 4: rounded up a line-up that includes some of the —Children of God (RKJ): Romantic conflicts strongest films in years—with Children of God, and gay encounters on the down low flying in JoJo Baby, I Killed My Mother, Elena Undone and the face of rigid social and religious constraints Undertow as just a few stand out examples of abound among the splendors of the Bahamas the quality fare screening at Reeling 29. when a gay white artist falls hard for a Black lothario who turns out to have a girlfriend. Reeling’s opening night kicks off with Children Left: Paris P. Pickard in A Marine Story. Right: A photo of Rock Hudson, who is profiled in Rock Writer-director-producer Kareem Mortimer’s fea- of God, writer-director-producer Kareem Mor- Hudson: Dark and Handsome Stranger. Right image by Photofest timer’s moving debut (see mini synopsis/review ture debut is profoundly moving and balanced below) which is being screened at the Kerasotes without pushing the dramatic envelope. Highly and having abusive ex-lovers—and the story be- —Violet Tendencies (RKJ): The Facts of ShowPlace Icon Theatre, 150 W. Roosevelt, at 7 recommended. hind why he changed his name to JoJo Baby will Life’s Natalie (Mindy Cohn), all grown up, plays p.m. An opening-night gala follows the screen- break hearts. If this riveting documentary (co- the “last fag hag in ” looking for love ing in the ShowPlace’s adjacent, nightclubish Friday, Nov. 5: executive-produced by Clive Barker) doesn’t win and enlivens this latest dramedy from writer- Lobby Lounge featuring one-of-a-kind cupcakes —The Stranger In Us (AD): In this drama, an award soon, something is very wrong with director Caspar Andreas (The Big Gay Musical, by More and Blue Moon Beer follows (with tick- Anthony (an effective Raphael Barker) recounts this world. Slutty Summer, etc.). As with all of Andreas’ ets available for either film or film and after- memories of two very different men in his life: —I Killed My Mother (RKJ): The debut fea- movies, plenty of buff male eye candy leavens party). manipulative, abusive ex-lover Stephen (an even ture from 21-year-old French Canadian writer-di- the usual romantic complications. The festival has three movies slotted as its more effective Scott Cox) and 17-year-old street rector Xavier Dolan (who also stars), this feisty Centerpiece selections, with I Love You Phillip hustler Gavin (Adam Perez). The non-chronolog- dramedy crackles with vitality. The combative Monday, Nov. 8: Morris, the gay romantic black comedy starring ical leaps in the movie don’t become cliché, and relationship (poignant and hilarious) between —From Beginning to End (AD): This 2009 Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, the most highly the solid acting (and singing, in one scene) help prickly, creative 16-year-old Hubert and his no- Brazilian film is filled with beauty, including anticipated. That screening, a Chicago premiere, makes this film pretty moving. nonsense, conventional mother (Anne Dorval, that of the scenery and the hotness shared by will be Wed., Nov. 10, at 9 p.m. Guests can pres- tremendous in a complicated performance) is male couple Francisco and Thomás (João Gabriel ent their ticket stub at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, Saturday, Nov. 6: riveting in and of itself. Add in Dolan’s knowing Vasconcellos and Rafael Cardoso, respectively)— following the screening for free admission and —Gen Silent (RKJ): Stu Maddox’s documen- eye for character detail, offbeat camera set-ups who happen to be half-brothers. The movie two complimentary Blue Moon beers. A Marine tary is a thought-provoking examination of the and assured direction and you have the best gay shows the men as kids, and reveals how their Story, a lesbian romance with military themes additional challenges faced by aging members of foreign indie of the year. Fabulous. Absolutely. relationship changed from brotherly to roman- and starring The Gymnast’s Dreya Weber (see the LGBT community. Compelling profile subjects —Kill the Habit (AD): In this would-be dark tic. The men become so passionate with each mini synopsis/review below), will screen Tues- help to elevate interest in a topic that needs comedy, Galia calls her friend Soti (who longs other that the viewer may feel discomfort and day, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Director Ned Farr and more attention. for Galia) when the former accidentally kills her inner conflict about close relatives who become Weber will attend the screening. Writer/director —Over the Moon (RKJ): Local documen- drug dealer, Lyle, at the place he shares with each other’s world—which just may be the film- Robert Gaston’s Flight of the Cardinal, a thriller tary filmmaker Charissa King-O’Brien continues his wife, Cardamosa—and the three eventually maker’s intent. with gay characters (mini synopsis/review in the documentation of her life as part of a les- come up with a plan to dispose of the body. Any next week’s WCT), is the final Centerpiece selec- bian couple (the previous In My Father’s Church potential this movie has is killed (pardon the Tuesday, Nov. 9: tion and will be shown Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 chronicled her desire and her partner’s for a plot-related pun) by wooden acting, including —A Marine Story (AD): In this drama, emo- p.m. Gaston will attend the screening. Each of sanctioned church wedding). This time around an addict who is one of the most unconvincing tionally tortured Alexandra (a tough-as-nails the Centerpiece selections will be shown at the she and her partner experience the trials and straight guys this reviewer has seen. and ab-tastic Dreya Weber) returns to her small Landmark Century Centre Cinemas, 2828 N. Clark, travails of trying to add a baby to their lives— —The Four Faced Liar (SW): The fluidity of hometown after her latest military deployment— the primary screening location for the festival. but at what cost to their relationship? female sexuality is like a ping-pong ball in this only to end up training delinquent Saffron (a The festival’s closing night feature is Under- —JoJo Baby (AD): “Welcome to Narnia.” And dramedy about New York twentysomethings that game Paris P. Pickard), who is dealing with her tow (Contracorriente), a romantic drama from with those words, the viewer is brought into the Marja-Lewis Ryan adapted from her play. Lesbian own demons, to enter the military. Solid act- Peru that was the Audience Award favorite at often-surreal world of JoJo Baby, a Wicker Park- Bridget (Ryan) and straight male roommate Trip ing (including a winning turn by Pickard) results this year’s Sundance (mini-review and synopsis based dollmaker/artist/club personality. This (Todd Kubrak) befriend newbies Greg (Daniel in the viewer bonding with the characters, and in next week’s WCT). Undertow screens at Insti- documentary does not spare any details (thank- Carlise) and Molly (Emily Peck), but Bridget and makes for a movie festival attendees should tuto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio, Saturday, Nov. 13, at fully), ranging from a hunky guy getting a penis Molly get too friendly and Molly has to make up catch (despite the wild denouement). The movie 7 p.m., followed by an after-party. casting to JoJo talking about being HIV-positive her mind. The acting and direction are good but also features out actor Troy Ruptash, who is in- the writing sometimes made my teeth itch. terviewed on page 17 and in this week’s online —Role/Play (SW): At a Palm Springs, Calif., issue of Windy City Times. CULTURE CLUB resort a closeted soap star (Steve Callahan) —Rock Hudson: Dark and Handsome Strang- who’s been outed by a sex tape meets a gay mar- er (RKJ): The career and off screen life of the riage activist (Matthew Montgomery) who’s get- closeted movie and TV star, whose untimely She Loves Me ting divorced. Writer-director Rob Williams has death from AIDS in 1985 propelled at last the BOOK BY JOE MASTEROFF the actors recite talking points about the impact epidemic into the national arena is examined in MUSIC BY JERRY BOCK LYRICS BY SHELDON HARNICK “++++” of their situations on the community in various this illuminating documentary that includes on MUSICAL DIRECTION BY BEN JOHNSON - TIME OUT CHICAGO DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL HALBERSTAM stages of undress, often in bed. That’s supposed screen analysis of Hudson’s impact and gossipy

Now Playing at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe to distract you from the fact that they’re more stories by friends, including Armistead Maupin. concerned with diction than emotion. Chicagoist film writer and Queer Film Society “SHEER, UNADULTERATED BLISS.” member critic Rob Christopher will introduce the “EVERY EFFERVESCENT DETAIL… Sunday, Nov. 7: film. A co-presentation with the Queer Film So- IS PERFECTION.” —The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister ciety. –CHICAGO SUN-TIMES (SW): A 19th-century heroine for our time, —Handsome Harry (RKJ): Jamey Sheri-

Anne (Maxine Peake) resists pressure to marry, dan stars in (and produced) this dramatic and “EXCELLENT… A JEWEL-BOX MUSICAL.” –CHICAGO TRIBUNE insisting, “I have in mind to settle with a female sometimes affecting (and other times, affected) companion.” Finding another woman who’s simi- road-trip movie about an emotionally distant TICKETS ARE SELLING QUICKLY—ORDER TODAY! larly inclined and equally bold is a problem, but man (Sheridan) who tries to make amends for Production Sponsor perhaps not unsolvable. Jane English’s Austen- a brutal, life-changing beating he and his fel- WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG tatious screenplay is taken from actual diaries low Naval soldiers administered years before to Corporate Production Sponsor WRITERS’ (four million words’ worth) written by an English a fellow soldier they discovered was gay. The 847- 242 - 6000 THEATRE lesbian, with intimate details in a code of her high-profile cast includes Steve Buscemi, Aidan own devising. James Kent directed this BBC pro- Quinn, John Savage and Campbell Scott. duction. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 15 Troy Ruptash: KNIGHT Out actor AT tackles DADT, THE vampirism MOVIES By Sarah Toce Out-actor Troy Ruptash stars opposite The Gymnast icon Dreya Weber in the 2010 festi- val circuit jewel (and Reeling movie) A Marine Story. In addition to the film chronicling the By Janet Jackson is Jo in For Colored Girls. harsh realities of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the Richard military and one woman’s struggle to survive Knight, Jr. outside of the battalion, Ruptash recently wrenching between the most melodramatic of wrapped a timely vampire piece starring with situations enacted by a range of stereotypical The L Word’s Mia Kirshner called 30 Days of For Colored characters. But as noted, audiences have not Night: Dark Days. minded these jagged shifts in tone and those Windy City Times: A Marine Story also Girls; film notes not familiar with Shange’s play will likely be stars Paris Pickard, Anthony Michael Jones, Troy Ruptash. Photo by Nathan Barbour & happy to see these women acting their heads Christine Mourad, Jeff Sugarman, Gregg Gigi deLeon It’s not enough, apparently, that writer-director- off and the Secret Life of Bees-Waiting to Exhale Daniel and Deacon Conroy. What was the dition to all of that, my partner Craig Richey producer-star Tyler Perry can claim the title of united sisterhood rooftop finale. Gay men will atmosphere on the set like during filming composed the score for the movie. So this was the most financially successful African-American also love the inclusion of something else usu- such a timely story dealing with LGBT civil definitely a “family affair.” filmmaker in movie history. After nine movies ally found in Perry’s movies: a host of hunky, rights and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” WCT: Now, let’s chat about your second that the public has loved to the tune of half a nearly nude Black men used for objectification Troy Ruptash: I think that we all felt fortu- feature film out this fall.Y ou play the char- billion at the box office, Perry now wants R-E- purposes. nate to be involved with a project dealing with acter, Agent Norris, in 30 Days of Night: S-P-E-C-T from critics and more discerning ci- Although I doubt that For Colored Girls is the a subject matter that is so important to us. [A Dark Days. There is a lot of hype and posi- nephiles as well. His chosen vehicle to realize movie that will elevate Perry into the critical subject] that is affecting a lot of the people tive praise surrounding your portrayal of a this dream is For Colored Girls, his own adapta- winner’s circle I don’t expect him to give up on involved with the movie as well as their friends straight man in this film. tion of the 35-year-old award-winning play For his goal anytime soon and suggest he next go and loved ones. I know [that] for me, it felt TR: I’m really glad that there has been a pos- Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When full tilt with an adaptation of Tongues Untied, good to be a part of such a timely story and itive response to my portrayal of Agent Norris. the Rainbow is Enuf, by poet/playwright Nto- Marlon Riggs’ seminal 1989 documentary about to know that, through this personal story, the I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity zake Shange. the struggles of gay Black men. This would al- issue was being addressed in a way that would to play him because I think he’s an interesting To say that Perry wrecks the delicacy and fire low Perry to once again hitch up with a poetic create an impact for viewers. and complex character. I really enjoyed explor- inherent in Shange’s work is not quite accurate. and powerful critical darling and, at last, bring So many of the people that I worked with ing the menacing quality that is always lurking The movie features the creme de la crème of the studs front and center. Madea could make a on this film are very good friends [of mine] beneath the surface with him. African-American actresses, working individu- cameo and perform a comic monologue. Audi- and you just can’t beat that kind of on-set ex- Read much more of this interview—in- ally and at times in ensemble to beautiful ef- ences would no doubt love that. perience. Both Ned Farr and Dreya Weber are cluding Ruptash’s time as a figure skater— fect. The cast includes Thandie Newton, Phylicia very dear friends [of mine] so to be directed by online at http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup. Rashad, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Anika Ned and to play off of Dreya was very special com. Nonni Rose, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise and Film notes: for me. There was a lot of love there. In ad- Macy Gray. (One can imagine prominent Black —Halloween Hangover: Don’t pack away all actresses and icons not involved—Halle Berry, the Halloween movies just yet because Warner Mo’Nique, Jennifer Holiday and even Oprah and Archive has just released 1967’s unsung classic Maya Angelou—on the phone cursing out their Eye of the Devil on DVD, and this is a must- agents for not getting them into the movie.) have. The movie, though uneven in tone, never But Perry gives with one hand and takes with lets go of its eerie feeling. Set in a crumbling the other—the thrill of seeing these actresses French chateau and surrounding vineyard, the “do their stuff” is decimated and oftentimes plot focuses on occult rituals and other strange trivialized by Perry’s insistence on welding goings-on. It stars Deborah Kerr, David Niven, a plot and adding “contemporary” additions David Hemmings and an exquisitely gorgeous (AIDS, men on the down low, etc.) to Shange’s Sharon Tate in her film debut (whose entire vo- lyrical, timeless monologues that focus on femi- cal performance is lip-synched). The movie, from nism; gender; and sexual and social equality. The director J. Lee Thompson, is something of a cult play, a series of 20 poems enacted by a nameless curio and, in addition to the high-profile cast, cast of seven women identified only by color— offers sumptuous black-and-white cinematogra- Lady in Yellow, Lady in Purple, etc.—has no plot phy by Ernest Haller and a one-of-a-kind, darkly and is identified as a “choreopoem.” Perry plops beautiful score by Gary McFarland. See http:// most of the women down in the same Harlem www.warnerarchive.com. apartment building as bickering, inquisitive —On Thursday, Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day), in neighbors, with Jackson cast as a bitchy Devil commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Wears Prada-type fashion editor, Goldberg as the end of World War II, the DuSable Museum of Af- mother of Newton, the sexually free spirit who rican American History, 74 E. 65th Place, will lives next door to Rashad, who’s the building present two screenings (at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.) manager, etc. The main focus of Perry’s story, of the 2009 documentary Inside Buffalo. The not surprisingly, is that ole Devil called love— film is a close examination of the heroic “Buffalo or the lack of it—and the lousy hand life (and Soldiers”—members of the 92nd Division, the a series of no-good men) keeps dealing out to all-African-American combat unit that fought these ladies. in Italy during WWII and battled racism within The two elements—Perry’s and Shange’s—do the Army at the same time. Director Fred Kudjo not co-exist peacefully, and the divisions be- Kuwornu, an Italian filmmaker of African descent tween them are patently obvious. Worse, the who worked as assistant director to Spike Lee on mixture of Shange’s dramatic fervor with Perry’s the latter’s Miracle At St. Anna, will be present added plot and character details has the affect for a director’s talk following both screenings. of grounding the movie just about every time (A panel discussion with Veterans of the African it begins to soar. But the movie does call to American Armed Forces follows the noon screen- attention Perry’s strength in directing women— ing as well.) A reception for the director will something further emphasized with this talent- be held at 5 p.m. The noon screening is free ed ensemble. and open to the public; the 6 p.m. screening is Perry’s decision to reinterpret Shange’s play $10 ($5 for museum members). See http://www. into resembling something nearer to his proven dusablemuseum.org. formula isn’t really surprising, given his his- Check out my archived reviews at http:// tory. He has never been shy about throwing a www.windycitytimes.com or http://www. bit of everything into his plays and movies— knightatthemovies.com. Readers can leave usually broad comedy (thanks to his drag char- feedback at the latter website. acter Madea, usually at the center of the action) 16 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES

MONTHLY REAL ESTATE SECTION Freddy Allen’s singing a

BYdifferent ANDREW DAVIS tune

Local talent Freddy Allen is probably best known (especially in LGBT circles) as one half of the music/comedy duo Amy & Freddy, which involves longtime friend Amy Armstrong. However, Allen is now also an agent with Conlon Real Estate, and talked about his ever-so-busy life (and real- estate issues) with Windy City Times. Windy City Times: You’re primarily known as a musician. How did you get started in the real-estate business? The Rookery. Photo courtesy of James Schiefelbein Freddy Allen: It’s something that I’ve always been fascinated with and, this summer, I said, “You’re not getting any younger or any smarter,” and John Root, was completed in 1888 and and I decided to do it. Frank Lloyd is considered the oldest standing high-rise in I just love people, and they’re so kind to me. Chicago. In 1905, Wright was commissioned I think that buying or selling a home is one of Wright Trust to update the Rookery’s light court and lob- the greatest journeys for a person or couple. My bies. Wright re-faced much of the lobby in partner and I bought our place a couple of years broad planes of white Carrara marble incised nowThe Frank downtown Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust ago and it was a hell of a journey; it’s one of the with gold leaf, evoking in exquisite materials (FLWPT) will establish a new location with the biggest investments you’re ever going to make. many of Root’s original ornamental metalwork lease of space in the lobby of The Rookery, a It’s exciting and very rewarding—and if I can designs. Freddy Allen. Photo courtesy of Ted Boles national historic landmark located at 209 S. help someone do that, it makes my day. “Expanding into this new facility is the ful- LaSalle. WCT: I was watching this TV show the other fillment of a long-standing dream of our or- Slated to open in early December, FLWPT’s day and this [family] had bought a 15,000- credit, you’re going to be in the pretty seat. ganization to increase regional visibility and newest location will feature a public informa- square-foot home, complete with a private You’d be surprised with some of these proper- leverage Chicago audience participation,” said tion center as well as administrative offices beauty salon. What’s the craziest request ties. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck; it’s FLWPT Board Chair Jim Schiefelbein. “We’ve ex- for the not-for-profit organization’s develop- you’ve had? a buyer’s market. For sellers, it’s not so nice for plored many possibilities for a strategic down- ment, membership, events, communications FA: It’s amazing, the places that are available. them, unfortunately, and many homeowners are town presence over the past several years and and guest relations divisions. In early 2011, Some of these people want their own bowling becoming landlords so they don’t go into fore- when an opportunity at The Rookery opened the trust will offer free tours of selected areas alley, movie theater or beauty salon. closure. We’re doing a lot of rentals right now. up late this past spring, our board voted unan- of The Rookery and open a “ShopWright” gift I’ve been lucky. I haven’t gotten anything WCT: When do you think the market will imously to move forward. It’s a perfect fit for store. crazy—yet. I’m sure it’ll happen. [Laughs] turn around? us.” The Rookery, designed by Daniel Burnham WCT: How do you balance touring with real FA: Oh, God—I have no idea. [Both laugh.] I See http://www.gowright.org. estate? hope it’s soon. What’s funny is that many of my FA: It can get pretty hairy. This week alone colleagues have been in the business for years has been insane; I got this listing a couple and years, and they just throw up their hands; weeks ago, and they’re being so kind. I had to there’s no rhyme and reason to how this is work- get everything ready before I got hit by the fire. ing. Chicago’s Aqua gets It’s a juggling act, but I’m really motivated by WCT: Are you pretty much a North Side high-rise award nod it. I love being busy. agent? The mixed-use Aqua tower that anchors Chi- I’m a Libra, too; I don’t know if that means FA: I really want to focus on the area between cago’s rising Lakeshore East neighborhood has anything, but I have to have a balance. I’ve Lakeview and Andersonville, because that’s been selected one of five finalists for a new In- loved music all my life, but I think it’s just fun where I’ve been for the last 16 years. I know ternational Highrise Award, according to a press to have different elements in my life. this area really, really well and there are some release. It is the only U.S. representative. WCT: So you would say you’re a musician terrific properties. The other 2010 finalists: first. WCT: So is Amy going to get into the real- —Burj Khalifa, Dubai by SOM Skidmore, Ow- FA: I am absolutely a musician first. I’ve been estate business, too? ings & Merrill; one all my life, and my great-grandparents were FA: Oh, Lord, no. [Both laugh.] I’m going to —Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Tokyo, by Tange professional musicians; I learned from them help her find her place, although she doesn’t Associates; when I was about 3 or 4 years old, and I’ve stud- know it yet. —The Met, Bangkok, by WOHA Architects with ied music. Music is customer service; you have WCT: I think she’d be a pretty interesting Tandem Architects; and to love music, and I like making people smile. I agent. —Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, can do the same thing with real estate. FA: You’re right. Not only is she a talented by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. [Regarding] the kind of company I wanted to person, but she’s such a good soul. She loves The Aqua tower, designed by Studio Gang Ar- be with, I did a lot of research—and I found that people as well, and she’s a good businessper- chitects (headed by Jeanne Gang) for the Ma- company [Conlon] that I really believe in and son. gellan Development Group, was recently named that I really like. It’s a smaller agency (about WCT: How does your partner deal with your Skyscraper of the Year by Emporis, an interna- 80-90 agents), and it’s considered a boutique busy schedule? tional building database. agency. Everyone there is just super—beautiful FA: That’s one of those bowling pins in the Situated at 225 N. Columbus, the 82-story inside and out. juggling act. [Laughs] I have a terrific husband; tower is the first high-rise in Chicago specifical- WCT: I wanted to talk about the whole fore- we’ve been together about five and a half years. ly designed to combine distinctive residential, closure situation. According to an USA Today We had a commitment ceremony about three and hotel and retail spaces. article, Chicago and Seattle have seen sharp a half years ago in Key West. He’s just an amaz- For additional information on Magellan De- increases in foreclosure warnings. What’s your ing man, and thank God he’s been patient with velopment Group and Aqua and Lakeshore East, take on what’s happening? me. And he has two beautiful children, 11 and visit http://www.magellandevelopment.com. FA: I’m not an economics guru or a financial 7 years ago. You couldn’t have told me six years god but, in my opinion, it affects in several ago that I was going to be a mom and a wife— ways. Certain areas, like Rogers Park, are getting but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Aqua. Photo by by Steve Hall © Hedrich Bless- hit big-time. For more about Conlon, see http://www. ing If you’re looking to buy something right now conlonrealestate.com. For more about Amy & and you have a nice amount of cash and good Freddy, see http://www.amyfreddy.com. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 17 BOOKS thing about [the musical] thrills me, the music, such a unique form. But, listen, there is room the point of view, the casting. Betty Buckley as for everything out there. I went to see American Anna Madrigal is overwhelmingly wonderful to Idiot and I really enjoyed it. Armistead me. From the beginning, Jake stressed this is not WCT: Will Betty Buckley play the role when a rock musical per se, although it does have Maupin the show opens to the public next June? numbers that are pop/rock. I’m not especially AM: We don’t know anything at this point, smart when it comes to musical terminology, but but that is how they do it. They commit for the I can tell you that the music has some honky- returns with workshop, and then we take it from there, but tonk numbers, some gorgeous ballads, and that she has given every indication that she wants to there are songs that are practically arias! Jake do it when the show opens next year. She has and John Garden—another member of the Sister ‘Mary Ann’ such a warmth, and she certainly has the pipes. Scissors—have managed to inhabit the emo- By Tony Peregrin WCT: How is it working with the charming tional landscape of all the characters. When and sexy Jake Shears? Mona freaks out, there is a song straight out Armistead Maupin first introduced readers to the AM: I love working with Jake and not just be- of Janis Joplin. There is a raunchy whorehouse colorful cast of 28 Barbary Lane in the 1970s cause he is a cute rock star, but because he is a number called “Ride ‘Em hard and Put ‘Em Down with a groundbreaking newspaper serial that hell of a decent guy—and a very smart one to Wet,” and songs on pregnancy and lots and went on to become a series of six internationally boot. The other day we spent 10 minutes talking lots of yearning. My books are full of yearning. bestselling novels and a Peabody Award-winning about the new Michael Cunningham novel. [Laughs] I was looking at the script the other miniseries starring Olympia Dukakis and Laura They are all great—there aren’t a lot of ram- night and I thought, I must be the neediest man Linney. With Mary Ann in Autumn, Maupin adds Armistead Maupin. Photo courtesy of Maupin paging egos here. People are working for the on the planet, because all the things that scared a poignant new chapter to the Tales of the City story itself and it is already showing in many me back then, still scare me now, like figuring series that focuses on the woman who started it nice antidote to the comment boards on blogs. I ways. I trust the story in their hands. Jeff [Whit- out what you want out of love and life and fam- all—Mary Ann Singleton. get really depressed sometimes when I am read- ty] knows exactly how to write in the voice of ily. Speaking from his cozy attic office on what ing the gay blogs, like Joe.My.God or Towleroad, the characters. Sometimes I read the dialogue WCT: When did you come out to your family, he describes as a “beautiful, blue day in San and I read some of the racist, misogynistic and and I have to think “Did I write that originally Armistead? Francisco,” Maupin discusses his return to the even homophobic remarks. We’re all supposed to or did he make that up?” AM: When I first came out to my mother, I was multi-character plotlines and dark comic themes be brothers and sisters. WCT: In an interview for Butt magazine, not very young; I was 30 or thereabouts. She of his earlier work, what it’s like collaborating WCT: A moment ago, you mentioned that Mr. Shears said he wanted the Tales of the said, “It’s fine now that you are young and hav- with the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and why you borrow from your own life as part of the City musical to be a “really classic, beauti- ing fun, but what will you do when you are an he’s an avid, but cautious, Facebook user (Hint: writing process. There is a plotline in Michael ful Broadway musical” and that he thinks “… old man?” And today, if she were alive, I would Facebook plays an integral, but terrifying, part Tolliver Lives about a guy who “made up his there’s a big stigma attached to musicals. tell her, as an old man [laughs], I am happier in the new novel). mind upon turning forty to eat pussy at the There’s this backlash against this Broadway than I have ever been and that I have the love Windy City Times: The new Tales of the City next available opportunity,” and a female sound and everyone’s trying to make Broad- of my life, and a purpose, and that I have a novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, finds the charac- friend decides to assist him, so she fresh- way musicals that don’t sound like Broadway successful career and that I wouldn’t change a ter back in San Francisco some 20 years later. ens up with a cinnamon-flavored douche, musicals,” said Shears. “And that’s ridicu- thing. I have been blessed with all of that be- Do you think of Laura Linney when you’re resulting in the character feeling a complete lous.” Do you agree with Mr. Shears—and cause I chose not to let others tell me who I writing the character of Mary Ann Singleton aversion to breakfast rolls from that point does the Tales of the City musical, indeed, should be. at this point? forward. I’ve read that incident actually hap- sound like a…proper classic Broadway musi- Mary Ann in Autumn is now out in book- Armistead Maupin: [Laughs] As a matter of pened to someone you know. cal in your mind? stores. fact, I do. For years, I heard my own voice [as AM: Yes, that is all true—assuming he was AM: I applaud that Jake is saying that. I hear Read more of the interview—including what Mary Ann] when I picked up one of the old Tales telling me the truth. [Laughs] I thought it was him and I applaud it. I wonder why a Broad- Maupin has to say about bullying—online at of the City books. But now, all I hear is Laura’s so funny that I wanted to include it in the book. way musical would want to be anything else, it’s http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. voice and it does make it a lot easier to write. I do that all the time, I listen to what people I just imagine her voice for any given scene. In have to say, and I use it, if I can. Sometimes fact, the new book is dedicated to her. I warn them first, I usually say it right on the WCT: Mary Ann is residing in Michael Tol- spot. Usually they are tremendously flattered, liver’s backyard cottage. How has the dynam- unless it is another writer, and then they usu- ic between these two characters evolved or ally say ‘you can’t use that it’s mine!’ I never Wild Pug closes changed over the years? compromise or invade anyone’s life, though. AM: Mary Ann’s rather rude and rapid depar- WCT: After the intimate first-person nar- ture in 1989 has left some old wounds that she rative of Michael Tolliver Lives, Mary Ann in has to deal with, and she has issues of her own Autumn marks your return to multi-character at the moment that are bringing her back to the plotlines, and the darkly comic themes of city. I can tell you that I am returning to the your earlier work. Can you talk about this more gothic flavor of earlier books, and that shift in narrative? there is a central mystery to this story related AM: I thought it would be fun to return to a to something that took place within the first multi-character plot line, because it allows for dozen pages of the last novel in the series, Sure great suspense. The elements of suspense are of You. In other words, what I wrote some 21 much greater when there are shifts in points of years ago is coming to fruition in Mary Ann in view in a novel. Michael Tolliver Lives was writ- Autumn. People who have read Mary Ann in Au- ten in a first person narrative, and I was torn tumn, might enjoy going back to the first dozen about what to title the book. I told my publisher pages of Sure of You. it wasn’t a Tales book, but then the critics said WCT: Mary Ann uses Facebook, and connec- it was, and yet some readers were disappointed tions with a few old friends, to re-engage because they didn’t get a shift in viewpoint. with life. Talk about your decision to incor- Well, both things were true with that book—I porate the social networking site into your was attempting a different tactic by writing in novel. Are you a big user of Facebook? the first person and I was still writing about all AM: I always try to draw on my own life, and the same people. I’ve found Facebook to be rather fascinating. I I do what I feel like doing at the time. Maybe saw in Facebook a great plot device for deliver- the Moon, Night Listener and Michael Tolliver ing information to the reader; Facebook is the Lives were all first person, but with Mary Ann way Mary Ann’s past comes to bite her in the in Autumn I was ready to get back to the om- ass. nipresent third person narrative. And by that, I Yes, I am a big user of Facebook, although simply mean that I write through the mind of a I am a Johnny-come-lately. Mary Ann’s own character. fears about becoming addicted to it reflect my WCT: I want to ask you about the Tales of own fears. I started using Facebook as a way the City musical, which is currently being to promote my work, but then it became sort workshopped at the American Conservatory of fun to connect with people and chat. I don’t Theater in San Francisco, with Tony award- fool myself into believing all these people are winning actress Betty Buckley as Barbary my friends! [Laughs] In fact, some of them have Lane’s landlady, Anna Madrigal. The workshop proven quite the opposite. is not open to the public, but I’m guessing WCT: How do you mean? you’ve had a chance to see it. Popular Uptown pub Wild Pug threw one last big shindig October 27. Owners Steve Mil- AM: Well, you can get a loose cannon in there AM: I have, and it was completely thrill- ford and Brian Wells (who both also own Crew Bar + Grill) showed their love with $2 drinks. every once in awhile. But one of things I enjoy ing. They are a wonderful bunch of kids, well, Photos by Kirk Williamson; see Joseph Erbentraut’s write-up on the event on our Web site, about Facebook is that, by and large, everyone I shouldn’t say kids because many are major www.windycitymediagroup.com. is civil with each other, and I find that it is a Broadway figures, but to me they are kids. 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A special section of It Gets Better IT GET BETTER WINDY CITY BY Frida Lay (Jesus Ricardo Avila) DOES TIMES This is the fourth week Windy City Times is including a special One day when I was 13 years old, my sister came section on the topic, in the words of our writers and guest essay- home and found me in her room wearing her ists, hoping to be part of the dialogue with youth, telling them cheerleading skirt. She stood at the door star- “it does get better.” ing at me as I turned every shade of red avail- able in the rainbow and she simply said, “So Windy City Times will be taking submissions of essays to run on our Web site, what are you now? A homosexual?” She turned www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com, and in future issues. Please send your submission to on her heels and left me there, embarrassed and [email protected] wondering what a homosexual was. So I changed into my own clothes and rushed downstairs to look it up in a dictionary and there they were, For Joseph the words “sexual deviant.” I didn’t want to be BY Doug Spearman a “sexual deviant.” I was a late bloomer so any sexual thoughts were out of the question but Doug Spearman, star of LOGO’s Noah’s Arc, wrote still, it was a pretty heavy burden for my inno- this editorial for dot429.com about growing up a cent 13-year-old mind. gay, black man in response to the latest suicide One year later we moved away from that small of 26-year-old black LGBT youth activist Joseph town where I knew everybody and where my Jefferson. friends were people I had known my entire life and we moved to the capital of the state. The There’s a scene in Brokeback Mountain that is al- city of San Luis Potosi was a frightening and most too personal for me to watch. Heath Ledger enormous place where I feared I’d get lost, but is standing in Jake Gyllenhaal’s childhood bed- the prospect of a new place was exciting; after room. There is only one window, open half-way, all, hadn’t I been praying that my dad would get looking out over a barren and seemingly endless that job so we could move there? So I pushed landscape. A plastic pony sits on the window aside my fear and gave into the excitement of ledge, the only toy in the room. Under the win- a fancy new school. Little did I know what was dow there’s a small, four-legged stool. It’s easy in store for me. The friends I left behind never for me to imagine a little boy sitting at the one seemed to notice I was different, but one week window that belongs to him, pretending to ride before I started the 9th grade at the new school a perfect stranger walking by my new house his horse over the horizon to something new, vision series about gay black men, Noah’s Arc, yelled “faggot!” at me. It was an omen for the something different, something better. It’s easy on LOGO. It was groundbreaking because no one hell I would encounter at my new school. for me, because I was that kind of little boy. had ever portrayed the lives of black men living I was short and skinny and apparently I had I just read portions of a suicide note. It was openly gay lives in such detail—some of it ex- Photo by Ryan Kolodziej the word “sissy” tattooed on my forehead. Every written by a 26-year-old black man named Jo- travagant, but still, it was there—in color. That day of that school year I was called names and also crying because I had woken up; because my seph Jefferson. He lived in New York. His win- show caused conversations and conversions, and pushed around by all the boys in my classroom. life wasn’t over like I wanted it to be; because I dows looked out on the busiest most important my email box filled up with coming-out stories. I would cry every Sunday night in my room be- would have to go back to school in a few hours; city in the world, millions of people and the Men and women found the courage to be who cause I knew what morning would bring. My because I would have to endure hell for another wealth of an empire all spread out before him, they are because they found examples, plausible catholic upbringing and the thought of the pain two months. and he saw no hope. He hung himself because examples to relate to. Our four characters were I would cause my mother kept me from taking When you are that age and you are being tor- he couldn’t take not belonging. He couldn’t con- used to tell parents and sometimes spouses the my life but I wanted to die. I couldn’t under- tured every day it’s hard to see the end in sight, tinue the fight for not just equality, but a place truth that had long been buried under shame stand how people—including my gym and shop but eventually the last day of class came and where he, as a black gay man fit in. I bet Joseph and fear. teachers—could be so cruel to another human went. While everyone else was excited about was that kind of boy, too. When I took the job, all I wanted was a pay- being. How can a society make it acceptable for graduation and the dance and their dates I was Except my room was much nicer than the one check. I was more concerned about hitting my someone to be tortured and ostracized simply over the moon with the fact that I would never in the movie and filled with toys. And instead of marks and knowing my lines. All I wanted to for being different? Only three people were nice have to see those people again. I didn’t attend a Depression-era landscape, I looked over a for- do was act, but what the world seemed to need to me that entire year. One night I accidentally any of the “festivities” and have never set foot est of maple and oak trees in Maryland. The feel- were more role models. And in a gay world, where left a candle burning in my room close to my in that hellhole again, not even on the sidewalk. ings, however, were the same. How would I make most of the images are of young, fit, white men, bed, and in the early hours of that May 7 the I went on to high school and met new people, it out of here? Who was going to love me? being black and gay is hard. I’ve made friends corner of my mattress started smoldering and and made new friends and little by little put that By the time I started walking and talking, it flip through gay magazines and count the im- filling the room with smoke while I slept, and I year behind me. And although the scars and the was pretty apparent that my parents had a gay ages of non-white men to prove my point. Try was dreaming that my neighbors were smoking memories are there, the healing and the pride of child on their hands. I liked dolls, Doris Day it yourself and see. They are few. If we don’t and that I couldn’t breathe. I remember asking having survived are stronger within me. movies, and my mother’s closet (in that order). see ourselves, whole, healthy, and thriving in them to please stop smoking when suddenly I In time I and my family came to accept who My father’s disappointment was palpable. My our own cultural images, we feel not wanted, woke up and realized what was happening and I was and who I am. I am extremely fortunate mother, however, encouraged me to learn to not necessary, and we do not thrive. Noah’s Arc immediately went into a panic mode and rushed to live in a place where not only I am accepted cook and sew, and thought I was pretty good at did a lot of good to counteract the messages of to get some water. My dad was away and my for who I am, I am celebrated for being who I combing out her wigs. The kids at school weren’t hate that only seem to have grown louder and mom woke up when she heard me coming and am and that has no price! To think I would have exactly mean. I was different, but it didn’t bring stronger in the last couple of years. We need going. We have always been very close, so to- missed out on all this love and all the amazing down any wrath. The boys in my scout troop more messages, more positive images, more help gether we took the mattress to the backyard experiences and people I’ve met in the last 15 didn’t call me sissy or fag. No one pushed me and more hope for the little boys and little girls and hosed it down. After the whole ordeal was years if I had died that year... into a locker or tried to kick my butt after school out there staring out of their windows and see- over we sat there and I started crying because It is sad to think that someone out there could because I had Barbie dolls. As a matter of fact, ing nothing—no hope, help, or horizon. I thought I would get in trouble for carelessly be going through something similar or worse in school was pretty easy. I was popular, cute, and The suicides have to stop. The only way we leaving a lit candle, but she was just relieved I this day and age. Hang in there ... it gets bet- had friends. I played sports well and made good can keep LGBT kids alive is to let them know had woken up in time. And then it hit me: I was ter. enough grades to please my parents, but not so that there is a way. Not just tell them it’ll get good that kids thought I was a dork. better one day, to the point that they can get Even if the outside was okay, the way I felt in- away from school, bullies and parents who don’t side was not. I knew what gay was. Even though understand or support them. But they need do my parents weren’t telling me I was wrong and know that it is better now. We have to stand up, RESOURCES going to hell, there were still plenty of messages openly and loudly, to advocate for these kids— making it clear that my feelings were perverted now. It has to get better today. By the time PFLAG (Parents and wrong. Puberty is confusing enough, and the bell rings. We have to regard and respect and Friends of mine hit at the same time as Anita Bryant’s cru- each other. We have to show them that race and Lesbians and sade against homosexuals, Harvey Milk’s run for sexual orientation don’t matter, that knowing Gays) public office, and the publication of Patricia Nell themselves for who they are right now is power- www.pflagchicago.org Warren’s book, The Front Runner. The messages ful and sustaining. We, as the role models, the were coming in loud, clear, and very mixed. Gay image makers, the messengers, have to be there GLSEN (Gay, was good, gay was bad, sex was good, sex was and available right now to answer questions, to Lesbian and wrong. It was tough enough trying to sort out guide them without hurting them, to be heroes, THE TREVOR PROJECT IT GETS BETTER Straight my place as a young black man in America, let somehow. We have to let them know that they 866-4-U-TREVOR www.youtube.com/user/ Education alone find my place as a gay black man. have value, or else we’ll leave them to a road www.TheTrevorProject.org itgetsbetterproject Network) I grew up and I got out. I became an actor, that’s too hard, a hill that’s too tough to climb, www..org and I work in advertising. My whole life has and a horizon with nothing on the other side but been about sorting images and messages and darkness. IL SAFE SCHOOLS ALLIANCE the power of both. As an actor, I’m deeply aware 312-368-9070 that how I appear on-screen or onstage influenc- http://dot429.com/articles/2010/10/25/ www.IllinoisSafeSchools.org es people. In 2005, I was cast in the first tele- joseph 20 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES

of November, your favorite bar staff are taking it off for charity. And, you’re in- vited to our first ever Bar-lesque Kick-Off Party. 9 p.m., Spin Nightclub, 800 W. Bel- mont Ave, http://www.bar-lesque.org A Night Out for the LGBT Community P&J Productions Presents A Night Out every Brought to you by the combined efforts of Friday with special guests. Hosted by your one & only MC Kal! We have DJ XL (from StarGaze) spinning the hottest in REMEMBERING ALLAN House, R&B, Hip-Hop, Chi-Town Stepping! Sunday, Nov. 7 We party from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. and our shows are at 12-1 a.m. 9 p.m., Tempta- The AVER Allan Schindler tions Nightclub, 10235 W Grand, http:// www.facebook.com/pjproductions Remembrance Ceremony Wed., Nov. 3 PLAN BE has joined forces with four other will take place in Steger, Pre-Holiday Season Wine Tasting Party PARTY ANIMAL local promoters at Illuminati Night Club Ill. Sample more than 75 wines from around Saturday, Nov. 6 to bring you THE hottest LGBTQ party all the world. Your $20 contribution benefits under one roof. 10 p.m., 773-435-0130, Equality IL PAC. 6 p.m., Sidetrack, 3349 N Photo from 2007 HRC Chicago’s gala, “No Illuminati Nigh Club, 2354 N. Clybourn Halsted http://www.sidetrackchicago.com by Jean Albright Queer Social Club A no-attitude, casual Excuses,” will be at the Saturday, Nov. 6 evening for the Humboldt/Ukie Area LG- Fairmont, 200 N. Columbus. Center on Halsted Family Playdates First BTQ (and their friends) to come in, have Saturday of every month the Center Fam- drinks, meet new friends, mingle, etc. Just Photo from 2009 ily welcomes families to come together American Veterans for Equal Rights Al- a fun night beyond the traditional outlets lan Schindler Remembrance Ceremony by Kat Fitzgerald (Mystic for a fun & informal monthly gathering in Boystown and dance parties in Wicker to simply play & have a great time in a Gravesite service of Allen Schindler, a Park - Doing our own thing across the ImagesPhotography.com) welcoming environment. This FREE event sailor from Illinois who was murdered by Western Ave divide! 8 p.m., Archie’s Iowa offers parents & children a chance to make two of his US Navy shipmates in 1992 be- Rockwell Tavern 2600 W. Iowa, 60622, new friends and talk about the challenges cause he was queer. Info: Jamesdarby@ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid aol.com; 2 p.m., Steger, http://www.aver- tional contexts, bring your own examples ern University, http://www.genderstudies. & joys of being a part of the LGBT Fam- =10150094929770492&ref=ts chicago.org/ to share, and participate in strategizing northwestern.edu/news/index.html ily Community. 10am, Center on Halsted, Amy & Freddy Live at Rehab Join that 13th Annual Jon Henri Damski Award will for the work ahead. Snacks, music, and Design Industries Foundation Cocktails 3656 N. Halsted, http://www.centeron- dynamic duo, Amy Armstrong and Freddy be presented to Katherine “Kit” Duffy. Re- rabble-rousing! 4:30 p.m., by Design Superb libations and culinary halsted.org Allen for a fun-filled evening at Rehab. freshments compliments of Gerber-Hart. Hull-House Museum, Residents Dining Hall delights, mingle and view amazing instal- Welcoming liturgy each Saturday St. Nich- You’re guaranteed great laughs, swell mu- Dramatic readings by the Theo Ubique Building, 1st Floor, 800 S.Halsted, Chi- lations. 5:30 p.m., Merchandise Mart, 222 olas is an open and welcoming church to sic, and tasty drinkie-poohs! 9 p.m., Re- Theatre artistic eirector Fred Anzevino. 4 cago, http://saicarted.ning.com/events/ Mercahndise Mart Plaza, 8th Flr, Chicago, all. The LGBTQ community is invited to hab Lounge, 3641 N Halsted, http://www. p.m., Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W Gran- jane-addams-hullhouse-museum http://diffachicago.org/dbd2010info. attend and find a home where everyone amyfreddy.com ville, http://www.gerberhart.org Free Confidential HIV Testing Asian Hu- html is included. 4:30 p.m., St. Nicholas Epis- You’re the Star Karaoke with Honey West man Services and The Banyan Tree Project American Veterans for Equal Rights (GLBT copal Church, 1072 Ridge Ave., Elk Grove Take your place in the spotlight! There’s is conducting free HIV testing Monday- veterans) monthly meeting AVER is a Village Monday, Nov. 8 not a bad seat in the house. 10 p.m., 773- Workshop Reading of Euphoria, a new Friday from 10 AM- 5 PM. Appointments non-profit, chapter-based association of Free Catholic Mass at LGBT-affirming 281-3355, Roscoe’s Tavern, 3356 N Hal- play. You are cordially invited to attend a are encouraged; walk-ins welcomed. We military veteran servicemembers dedicat- church Catholic Mass is celebrated by sted, http://www.roscoes.com semi-staged workshop reading of EUPHO- are located at 4753 N. Broadway, Suite ed to full and equal rights and equitable the Free (independent) Catholic Church of RIA, a new, old-fashioned, gay comedy. 7 700. CTA Red Line Lawrence. 10am, 773- treatment for all present and former mem- the Epiphany every first Saturday of the p.m., Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, http:// Thursday, Nov. 4 293-8430, Asian Human Services 4753 N. bers of the U.S. Armed Forces. Membership month. All are welcome! We use the Wood www.euphoriatheplay.com Flaunt It! Queers Organizing for Educa- Broadway, Suite 700, http://www.ahschi- is open to anyone who wishes to join. 7 Dale Community Church building at 206 N A party and discussion Dollar Drink Night with DJ Laura B at tional Justice cago.org/community_health.htm p.m., Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Wood Dale, Wood Dale, Ill., 60191. Come about queer activism and organizing Hydrate Monday at HYDRATE is $1 DRINK Selected Raewyn Connell Readings: A Gen- http://www.averchicago.org/ join our small, accepting group! 5 p.m., in education in Chicago. What have we NIGHT! All well cocktails are only One der Studies Discussion Group Discussion Reeling 2010: Opening Night! Children of (630) 422-5060, http://epiphanydiocese. gained in the last year, what do we want Dollar all night long! PLUS ... Dance to of Masculinities by R. W. Connell and re- God Reeling 2010’s delectable Opening wordpress.com/ to celebrate, and what challenges remain? the high energy fun sound that has made lated works moderated by Gregory Mitch- Night Gala follows the showing of Children It Takes a Village, People! It Takes a Vil- Come hear organizers and educators talk DJ Laura B “2007’s Boystown’s BEST DJ!” ell, Taryn Nelson, Ricardo Sanchez; wine of God at ShowPlace ICON Theatre. All gala lage, People! is the first gay-themed pro- about some recent successes in centering (Chicago Free Press) NO COVER UNTIL & light refreshments provided. 5 p.m., attendees must by 21+ and must have a duction from Salsation Theatre Company, queer lives and social justice in educa- 10PM! $5 after 10PM! 9 p.m., Hydrate, Gender Studies, Kresge 2-359, Northwest- ticket. Reeling runs through Nov. 13. Film NFP; 5:30 p.m., (773) 598-4549, Gorilla 3458 N. Halsted Only: $15 ($13 members), Film & Gala: Tango Theatre 1919 N. Milwaukee, http:// $35 ($32 members), VIP Film & Gala: $40 www.salsation.com ($38 members); 7 p.m., ShowPlace ICON, HRC Chicago 2010 Gala: No Excuses! The Tuesday, Nov. 9 I2I-Invisible to Invincible, Asian & Pacific 150 W Roosevelt Rd, http://http://reel- Human Rights Campaign throws this im- Islander Pride Social the 2nd Tuesday of ingfilmfestival.org portant fundraiser for the cause of equal- ity. The Chicago HRC Gala is an annual every month, $7-15. 5:30 p.m., Pick Me Friday, Nov. 5 event that consists of a large silent auc- Up Cafe, 3408 N. Clark, http://www.chi- cagoi2i.org More for Gay Men: Being Out with a Pur- tion auction, followed by a black-tie din- Design expert Frank Fontana is a nation- pose Go beyond a life that merely guar- ner to celebrate the steps we have made ally renowned design expert and guru of antees survival and security free from and to look towards a more just future. 7 low-cost, high-style design: HGTV’s go-to ridicule, unwanted scrutiny, abuse and op- p.m., Fairmont Chicago, 200 N Columbus, guy for chic make overs on a dime. I12:30 pression, to one in which gay men thrive http://www.hrcchicago10.com p.m., 312-606-0750, Borders - State as a group and redirect thier leading ex- Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Lipstick and Street, 150 North State St traordinary lives of service, contribution Lyrics “Bad Romance”: Back bigger and to others, fulfilling potential. Strategic more glamorous than ever, the “girls” of partner with the Center on Halsted and CGMC strut their stuff and sing of love, re- Wed., Nov. 10 20th Annual Chicago Gay/Lesbian Hall of part of proceeds go to the Center, part to lationships and dating. 7 p.m., 773-296- Fame Induction Ceremony The City of ongoing develo p.m.ent of More for Gay 0541, Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, http:// Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Men programs. 6:30 p.m., Center on Hal- www.cgmc.org Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual sted, 3656 N Halsted, http://www.more- Design Industries Foundation Gala Dinner and Transgender Issues invites you to at- forgaymen.com Gala cocktail reception and silent auction, tend the 20th annual induction ceremony Amy & Lloyd Acoustic open mic Amy Arm- 8:30 p.m. gala seated dinner, 9:30 p.m. for the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of strong & Lloyd Young have put together dessert and silent auction close. $500. 7 Fame. The event is free and open to the an open mic like no other. An acoustic p.m., Merchandise Mart, 222 Mercahndise public. 5:30 p.m., Chicago Cultural Center, collaboration of local musicians coming Mart Plaza, 8th Flr, , http://diffachicago. 78 E. Washington, http://www.glhallof- together to jam. But there’s more! You’re org/dbd2010info.html fame.org hosts Amy & Lloyd have put together books of music, hundreds of songs for Sunday, Nov. 7 you to choose from and sing. Lloyd plays Queer Dharma Chicago Queer Dharma Friday, Nov. 12 OUT & Greek National LGBT & Ally Frater- the guitar and Amy plays the drums. Both meets every Sunday from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. nity & Sorority Leadership Conference singing harmonies to make you the star at the Shambhala Meditation center for National speakers, featured workshops and of the show. Percussion instruments on all sitting meditation, discussion & social- roundtable discussions train fraternity and the tables for all to join in. Everyone has a izing. Free meditation instruction. www. sorority members, advisors and staff on good time. Don’t miss out! Come sing with queerdharmachicago@googlegroups. LGBT issues. 10 a.m., Indiana University, the diva. 9 p.m., (773)325.2233, Rehab com. 6:30 p.m., (773) 230-3886, Shamb- THE FAME GAME http://www.lambda10.org/outandgree Lounge, 3641 N Halsted hala Meditation Center, 7331 N. Sheridan, Wed., Nov. 30 Bar-lesque Competiton Kick-Off Party! http://chicago.shambhala.org/programs. Join us to mix and mingle with the contes- php?cid=170 tants over a few cocktails. For the month The 20th Annual Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Get WindyCityMediaGroup.com Photo of Jane Saks and Mayor Richard Daley from 2009 by Hal Baim : online ChicagoPride.com WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 21

‘tis the season to pick your dates and BILLY MASTERS host a holiday party or simply host your friends

James Marsden will spice up ABC’s Modern Family. Photo by Phil Bray ence expected George to sing some of his classic “If there’s nobody else to do it, then of course I hits. Instead, he sang a classic—“Blue Moon.” would believe that we should do this.”—Sarah A woman in the front row was particularly vocal ‘M‘MEEMMOORRAABBLLEE AAFFTTEERRNNOOOONN Palin tells Entertainment Tonight the circum- with her heckling, prompting him to say, “Why OR EVENING GATHERINGS... stances that would push her to run for president don’t you shut the fuck up, you rude cunt!” He OR EVENING GATHERINGS... in 2012. Please, God, let there be somebody else then threw a glass of something on her. (Some SSMMAALLLL OORR LLAARRGGEE.. who wants to do it. call it water, while others say vodka.) I don’t My fans were over the moon about Glee pay- know what I love more—the story or the fact FFoorrddeettaaiillssvviissiitt::SSiiddeettrraacckkCChhiiccaaggoo..ccoomm//ppaarrttiieess ing homage to The Rocky Horror Show. What you that real newspapers in the UK will print the oorrffoorraaggooooddttiimmeeccaalll 777733..447777..99118899 may not know is that we almost got the chance words “fuck” and “cunt.” (I’m curious how many to see John Stamos as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. In of my stateside papers print this.) the scene where he “auditions” to replace Mike Sticking with anatomy for the time being, Chang playing Frank-N-Furter, he was supposed Andy Dick had yet another public meltdown. Ap- PPiinnnnaacclleeWWhhiippppeedd to sing “Sweet Transvestite”—which would have parently he was at an outdoor café in our neigh- CCrreeaammVVooddkkaa ® made sense. He recorded the song (with the borhood (because he lives a few houses away). ccaannmmaakkeeyyoouurr original lyrics) and everyone loved it ... until Let’s assume he was drunk—‘cause that’s usually ppaarrttyyeevveenn it was nixed by the network. The audition piece a safe bet. He harassed a woman walking by and mmoorreessppeecciiaall was switched to “Hot Patootie,” which comes was then chased by a paparazzo. I’m not sure 33334499 NN..HHaallsstteedd out of nowhere but sets him up to play “Eddie.” why he harassed the woman. I’m not sure why SSiiddeettrraacckkCChhiiccaaggoo..ccoomm At least we still have his recording, which you a paparazzo was following him. Most of all, I’m can hear on BillyMasters.com. not sure why Andy’s dick was hanging out of his The Glee”/”Rocky Horror conjunction brought fly. And I’m not sure why I’m gonna post it on us loads of skin shots and proved once again BillyMasters.com—but I am. that my buddy Matthew Morrison can more than Just to get the bad taste of Andy’s dick out hold his own against those younguns. (Check of your mouth, let’s swiftly turn to Jared Leto. out all the guys on our website.) Alas, it’s the He posted a hot photo on his Twitter page with younger boys that Playgirl is interested in. The a caption that reads, “Real Men Wear Skirts”— magazine put out a firm offer to both Mark because the photo is of the sexy stud shirtless Salling and Chord Overstreet: “We would be very and, well, wearing a skirt. It’s on our website, willing to pay for them both—up to $100,000. too. Just scan past the photo of Andy. And it wouldn’t have to be fully X-rated, either.” Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Darrell in OK, you had me, then you lost me. Not X-rated? San Diego: “I’m a huge comic book fan. What Even Salling was surprised: “Wow, really? A hun- have you heard about Chris Evans as Captain dred thousand to keep my clothes on? I’ll only America? He’s hot, but is he the Captain?” do it if I can take my clothes off.” Music to my Judge for yourself, since Chris appears on the ears. cover of Entertainment Weekly in his Captain The swoon-worthy James Marsden will be America costume. He gives an interview with showing off his fantastic physique on the small the mag saying that he was very scared of the screen. Look for Jimmy to drop by Modern Fam- role—if it bombed, he’d be a joke; but if it was ily as, you guessed it, a gorgeous guy in the a hit, he’d be stuck playing the part for five se- neighborhood who likes to take off his shirt. quels (per his contract). He pushed past his fear What makes it even better is that the neighbor- and is taking this very seriously, and it shows. hood in question is where gay couple Jesse Tyler Evans is certainly no slouch in the hunkiness de- Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet live. Marsden’s partment, but he’s looking positively Herculean character has a penchant for hot tubs, and the (which doesn’t bode well for the Captain’s early boys take a little time to enjoy the view. scenes, where he’s supposed to be scrawny). The Scissor Sisters have cancelled nine con- We’ve been leaked some photos from the set in certs in Europe due to some undisclosed “fund- various forms of undress, and we’ll post ‘em on ing issues.” Since the group has always been BillyMasters.com. more popular abroad than here, this is shocking When real men can wear skirts and fishnets, news indeed. It should be noted that their UK it’s definitely time to end yet another column. dates were unaffected. Nor did it affect “Elvira’s Halloween is done, the election is over, and we’re Scissor Sisters Halloween Special,” which was an getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. online video promotion they did for their “Night Either the world is moving too fast, or I have a Work” album and for their upcoming gig as Lady touch of meningitis! Either way, I’m gonna stay Gaga’s opening act. You can see the vid on their in my seat and work on www.BillyMasters.com— site, or on BillyMasters.com, of course. It’s a the site that enjoys both vodka and water. If hoot. you have a specific question, write me at Billy@ There are two things that don’t go together— BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to Boy George and the female reproductive system. you before I weld Andy Dick’s fly shut! Until next And yet, they made a rare convergence while time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s the Boy was doing a benefit in London for The bible. Meningitis Trust—and if there’s one thing I trust, it’s meningitis. Some people in the audi- 22 Nov. 3, 2010 WINDY CITY TIMES Movie looks at late gay player By Ross Forman

Glenn Burke played 225 games over parts of four seasons in , and even appeared in the 1977 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. An outfielder who also played for the Oakland A’s, Burke had two ca- reer home runs. But he certainly left a legacy off the field. Burke was the first and only major leaguer known to have been out to his teammates and team owners during his career. He is one of Glenn Burke. two known gays to have ever played in the majors; the other was Billy Bean. sexual orientation. Burke died from AIDS-related causes in 1995 “Glenn Burke is a great story anywhere, but at age 42. definitely more meaningful in the Bay Area be- Comcast SportsNet Bay Area has produced cause he’s one of our guys,” Griggs said. “The a one-hour documentary, “Out. The Glenn social and political climate of the San Fran- Burke Story,” which will air commercial-free on cisco Bay Area is different from other places in Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. PT. the U.S., and they probably will be more recep- Comcast delivers a home run. tive to this story here [than elsewhere], but I “Out: The Glenn Burke Story” encompasses think it’s a great story nonetheless.” his roller-coaster life, from his exceptional, Comcast started research for the documen- multi-sport career at Berkeley High School, tary last May, and did interviews through through his brief run in the majors, his de- the summer. Comcast spoke with childhood mons (drugs, alcohol, and time in prison) off friends, coaches, newspaper reporters, front- the field, to his dying days. office executives and former major leagues. Emotions are plenty; tears will flow. Many former major leaguers, including Hall of “[The documentary] tells a story of a man Famer Rickey Henderson, former who basically lived an uncompromising life manager Dusty Baker, former Chicago Cubs out- Wrestlers Orlando Jordan (left) and . Photos courtesy of TNA Wrestling and wasn’t afraid to be who he was, and un- fielder Rick Monday, as well as Reggie Smith, fortunately he paid the consequences for it. Claudell Washington, Davey Lopes, Mike Norris, It’s a great story and gives us some lessons and Billy Beane, among others. from when we don’t accept people,” said Ted Griggs said the toughest challenge was find- nor play sports. I was open that I liked video Griggs, the vice president and general manager ing people who had intimate relations with gaming and comic books and got picked on for for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area who served as Burke, or past partners of his. Unfortunately, TNA that. I eventually took tae kwon do and eskrima the documentary’s executive producer. most of them have passed away. lessons because the bullying was relentless and The idea for the documentary came from “What I took from some of the players, as I I thought it would come to a fight. But when the wrestling Griggs, who has had a manila folder for years looked into their eyes, was them saying, ‘You bullies heard I was taking martial arts classes, with his 1995 obituary. don’t understand what it was like 33 years ago, they backed off.” “I’ve always wanted to tell his story,” Griggs the way people thought [about gay people],” No major, professional sports team, or enter- tackles hate said. “I grew up in Hayward, near where Griggs said. But, “When people get to know By Ross Forman tainment company, has taken such a prominent, [Burke] is from and I knew of him as a high others, and appreciate them, any pre-judgment public stance against bullying as has Nashville, school player. I sort of followed his kind of goes away and they accept people as Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is taking a Tenn.-based TNA Wrestling, the pro wrestling career because he was one of the guys from people. And to me, that was refreshing. bold step in the fight against bullying. company that features , , this area. “The thing that I took out of [the documen- Company officials announced TNA’s “Eliminate Mick Foley, Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam, among “I know then that someday, someone was tary] more than anything else was that Glenn the Hate” campaign, aimed at ending bullying others. going to do a great documentary or movie Burke was not afraid to be himself and he paid of all kinds. “Everyone at TNA stands firmly behind this about his life.” the consequences for that, yet, from the people TNA Wrestling is implementing a massive mar- new anti-bullying campaign. The bullying must Comcast delivered. “Out” tells the tumultu- we spoke to, he never felt sorry for himself.” keting push for its “Eliminate the Hate” cam- stop, and we want to take a stand,” said TNA ous story of the wedge that was driven between Griggs said Comcast officials tried to contact paign. PSA’s will be featured on TNA program- Chief Marketing Officer Al Ovadia, himself a fa- Burke and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manage- former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who ming, including their Thursday night line-up ther of two. “There’s no place in our schools for ment, the ensuing similar situation in Oakland had a gay son, but did not get a response. on Spike TV (TNA iMPACT! and ReAction, 8-11 bullying, be it based on a student’s looks, race, that led to Burke’s abrupt retirement and the “Most everyone else [we wanted,] we got,” p.m. CT). In addition, spots will be placed on sexual orientation or anything else.” hero’s welcome he received in San Francisco’s Griggs said. all other TNA Wrestling fan outlets, such as the TNA launched its “Eliminate The Hate” cam- Castro District after he left baseball. No one rejected the interview request. TNA website (http://www.tnawrestling.com), paign in conjunction with ’s late-Octo- The documentary tells of his days in the San After the documentary airs in the Bay Area, DVDs and all social-networking sites, including ber appearance on The Talk (CBS-TV) when Hardy Francisco gay league, including his in- it will be offered to other egional Comcast sta- Facebook and Twitter. appeared in support of a bullied teen. Hardy, duction to the San Francisco Gay Softball As- tions; however, there are licensing issues re- TNA is also working closely with the hit Siri- the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, sociation Hall of Fame in 1992. And also that garding some of the documentaries’ footage, usXM primetime show, Derek & Romaine, as well personally invited Tyler Wilson, 11, to Orlando, he participated in the Gay Games. so it might not be available anywhere but in as other SiriusXM programs, and with its broad- Fla., for a taping of “TNA iMPACT!” on Spike TV Burke officially came out in a 1982 Inside the Bay Area. cast partner Spike, who will air the PSA’s across (Thursday, 8 p.m. CT), including a backstage Sports magazine article and on The Today For more information on the Glenn Burke their network. Several TNA stars, including AJ meet-and-greet with the other wrestlers. Show with Bryant Gumbel, though many inside documentary, go to: http://www.CSNBayArea. Styles and openly bisexual wrestler Orlando Jor- Wilson, a sixth-grader at Glenwood Middle baseball already knew or speculated about his com/pages/out. dan, taped interviews and PSAs in late-October School in Ohio, had his arm broken by bullies with the Derek & Romaine show that will be because he joined the cheerleading team. aired on that show and on other SiriusXM shows “I’m happy to support Tyler and anyone who Rollers hosting 2:45 p.m. After a dinner break, two semifinal as well. has been bullied, and I know I can say that all of bouts will be played between the morning win- There are several TNA Wrestling superstars the other wrestlers on the TNA roster agree with tourney Nov. 5-7 ners to determine the teams to play in the final who know all too well about the childhood trials me on this stance: the bullying needs to stop, The (WCR) will be hosting bout. and tribulations of being bullied because they now,” Hardy said. “I guarantee Tyler will have an this year’s top 12 teams in women’s flat-track Tickets are $75 for a weekend pass and $30 once were on the receiving end of unwanted, amazing time in Orlando and know he will be the for “Uproar on the Lakeshore,” the for a one-day pass. See http://www.windycity- unprovoked, persistent taunts from bullies. envy of his class after his trip.” Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) rollers.com, Ticketmaster, UIC box office or any Mr. Anderson, for instance, was bullied as a 2010 Championship Tournament, Nov. 5-7 at UIC WCR skater. teen growing up in Two Rivers, Wis. “The Pope” Pavilion, 525 S. Racine. D’Angelo Dinero was bullied while growing up Doors open Friday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. and in Jacksonville, Fla., but turned the tables in Steam starts season the first whistle blows at 2 p.m. The Chicago Steam, the 2008-2010 Midwest high school—and protected those who were be- Saturday features four quarterfinal bouts Regional Champions of the American Basketball ing bullied. between the Friday winners and the regional Association, will kick off its third season this “Sadly, bullying is a national problem, and it champions: the winner of Texas/Bay Area versus weekend with back-to-back games Nov. 5 (at 8 crosses into all races, religions and every so- Gotham at 9:30 a.m., Minnesota/Charm City ver- p.m.) and Nov. 6 (at 2 p.m.) against the St. Lou- cioeconomic status,” Anderson said. “Growing sus Rocky Mountain at 11:15 a.m., Philadelphia/ is Pioneers at , 15800 S. up, I was bullied until I was a freshman in high Madison versus Kansas City at 1:00 p.m., and State, South Holland. school because I didn’t conform to [one] group, Oly/Nashville versus the Windy City Rollers at See http://www.chicagosteambasketball.com. WINDY CITY TIMES Nov. 3, 2010 23 CONNE IONS MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS

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